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THE FORGING OF BALMUNG. 





THE 


STORY OF SIEGFRIED 


BY 

JAMES BALDWIN 


Illustrated by Howard Pyle 



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( oc r 11 mz / 

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NEW YORK 

CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS 
1882 


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Copyright by 

CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS. 

1882. 




v 


FRANKLIN PRESS’. 

STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY, 


BOSTON. 


TO MY CHILDREN, 


WINFRED, LOUIS, AND NELLIE, 

> 

IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. 




THE FORE WORD. 


When the world was in its childhood, men looked 
upon the works of Nature with a strange kind of awe. 
They fancied that every thing upon the earth, in the 
air, or in the water, had a life like their own, and that 
every sight which they saw, and every sound which 
they heard, was caused by some intelligent being. All 
men were poets, so far as their ideas and their modes 
of expression were concerned, although it is not likely 
that any of them wrote poetry. This was true in 
regard to the Saxon in his chilly northern home, as 
well as to the Greek in the sunny southland. But, 
while the balmy air and clear sky of the south tended 
to refine men’s thoughts and language, the rugged 
scenery and bleak storms of the north made them 
uncouth, bold, and energetic. Yet both the cultured 
Greek and the rude Saxon looked upon Nature with 


VI 


The Fore Word. 


much the same eyes, and there was a strange resem- 
blance in their manner of thinking and speaking. 
They saw, that, in all the phenomena which took place 
around them, there was a certain system or regularity, 
as if these were controlled by some law or by some 
superior being ; and they sought, in their simple poet- 
ical way, to account for these appearances. They had 
not yet learned to measure the distances of the stars, 
nor to calculate the motions of the earth. The chan- 
ging of the seasons was a mystery which they scarcely 
sought to penetrate. But they spoke of these occur- 
rences in a variety of ways, and invented many charm- 
ing stories with reference to them, not so much with 
a view towards accounting for the mystery, as towards 
giving expression to their childlike but picturesque 
ideas. 

Thus, in the south, when reference was made to the 
coming of winter and to the dreariness and discomforts 
of that season of the year, men did not know nor care 
to explain it all, as our teachers now do at school ; but 
they sometimes told how Hades had stolen Persephone 
(the summer) from her mother Demetre (the earth), 
and had carried her, in a chariot drawn by four coal- 
black steeds, to the gloomy land of shadows ; and how, 


The Fore Word. 


vii 

in sorrow for her absence, the Earth clothed herself in 
mourning, and no leaves grew upon the trees, nor flow- 
ers in the gardens, and the very birds ceased singing,, 
because Persephone was no more. But they added, 
that in a few months the fair maiden would return for 
a time to her sorrowing mother, and that then the 
flowers would bloom, and the trees would bear fruit, 
and the harvest-fields would again be full of golden 
grain. 

In the north a different story was told, but the 
meaning was the same. Sometimes men told how 
Odin (the All-Father) had become angry with Brunhild 
(the maid of spring), and had wounded her with the 
thorn of sleep, and how all the castle in which she 
slept was wrapped in deathlike slumber until Sigurd 
or Siegfried (the sunbeam) rode through flaming fire, 
and awakened her with a kiss. Sometimes men told 
how Loki (heat) had betrayed Balder (the sunlight), 
and had induced blind old Hoder (the winter months) 
to slay him, and how all things, living and inanimate, 
joined in weeping for the bright god, until Hela (death) 
should permit him to revisit the earth for a time. 

So, too, when the sun arose, and drove away the 
darkness and the hidden terrors of the night, our an- 


The Fore Word. 


viii 

cestors thought of the story of a noble young hero 
slaying a hideous dragon, or taking possession of the 
golden treasures of Mist Land. And when the spring- 
time came, and the earth renewed its youth, and the 
fields and woods were decked in beauty, and there was 
music everywhere, they loved to tell of Idun (the 
spring) and her youth-giving apples, and of her wise 
husband Bragi (Nature’s musician). When storm-clouds 
loomed up from the horizon and darkened the sky, 
and thunder rolled overhead, and lightning flashed on 
every hand, they talked about the mighty Thor riding 
over the clouds in his goat-drawn chariot, and battling 
with the giants of the air. When the mountain-mead- 
ows were green with long grass, and the corn was 
yellow for the sickles of the reapers, they spoke of Sif, 
the golden-haired wife of Thor, the queen of the pas- 
tures and the fields. When the seasons were mild, and 
the harvests were plentiful, and peace and gladness 
prevailed, they blessed Frey, the giver of good gifts to 
men. 

To them the blue sky-dome which everywhere hung 
over them like an arched roof was but the protecting 
mantle which the All-Father had suspended above the 
earth. The rainbow was the shimmering bridge which 


The Fore Word. 


IX 


stretches from earth to heaven. The sun and the moon 
were the children of a giant, whom two wolves chased 
forever around the earth. The stars were sparks from 
the fire-land of the south, set in the heavens by the 
gods. Night was a giantess, dark and swarthy, who 
rode in a car drawn by a steed the foam from whose 
bits sometimes covered the earth with dew. And Day 
was the son of Night; and the steed, which he rode 
lighted all the sky and the earth with the beams which 
glistened from his mane. 

It was thus that men in the earlier ages of the 
world looked upon and spoke of the workings of 
Nature ; and it was in this manner that many myths, or 
poetical fables, were formed. By and by, as the world 
grew older, and mankind became less poetical and more 
practical, the first or mythical meaning of these stories 
wa'S forgotten, and they were regarded no longer as 
mere poetical fancies, but as historical facts. Perhaps 
some real hero had indeed performed daring deeds, and 
had made the world around him happier and better. It 
was easy to liken him to Sigurd, or to some other myth- 
ical slayer of giants ; and soon the deeds of both were 
ascribed to but one. And thus many myth-stories 


X 


The Fore Word. 


probably contain some historical facts blended with 
the mass of poetical fancies which mainly compose 
them ; but, in such cases, it is generally impossible 
to distinguish what is fact from what is mere fancy. 

All nations have had their myth-stories ; but, to my 
mind, the purest and grandest are those which we have 
received from our northern ancestors. They are par- 
ticularly interesting to us ; because they are what our 
fathers once believed, and because they are ours by 
right of inheritance. And, when we are able to make 
them still more our own by removing the blemishes 
which rude and barbarous ages have added to some of 
them, we shall discover in them many things that are 
beautiful and true, and well calculated to make us 
wiser and better. 

It is not known when or by whom these myth-stories 
were first put into writing, nor when they assumed the 
shape in which we now have them. But it is said, that, 
about the year noo, an Icelandic scholar called Sae- 
mund the Wise. collected a number of songs and poems 
into a book which is now known as the “Elder Edda;” 
and that, about a century later, Snorre Sturleson, 
another Icelander, wrote a prose-work of a similar 
character, which is called the “Younger Edda.” And 


The Fore Word. 


xi 


it is to these two books that we owe the preservation 
of almost all that is now known of the myths and the 
strange religion of our Saxon and Norman forefathers. 
But, besides these, there are a number of semi-mytho- 
logical stories of great interest and beauty, — stories 
partly mythical, and partly founded upon remote and 
forgotten historical facts. One of the oldest and finest 
of these is the story of Sigurd, the son of Sigmund. 
There are many versions of this story, differing from 
each other according to the time in which they were 
written and the character of the people among whom 
they were received. We find the first mention of 
Sigurd and his strange daring deeds in the song of 
Fafnir, in the “ Elder Edda.” Then, in the “ Younger 
Edda,” the story is repeated in the myth of the Niflungs 
and the Gjukungs. It is told again in the “ Volsunga 
Saga” of Iceland. It is repeated and re-repeated in 
various forms and different languages, and finally ap- 
pears in the “ Nibelungem Lied,” a grand old German 
poem, which may well be compared with the Iliad of 
the Greeks. In this last version, Sigurd is called Sieg- 
fried ; and the story is colored and modified by the 
introduction of many notions peculiar to the middle 
ages, and unknown to our Pagan fathers of the north. 


The Fore Word. 


xii 

In our own time this myth has been woven into a vari- 
ety of forms. William Morris has embodied it in his 
noble poem of “ Sigurd the Volsung Richard Wag- 
ner, the famous German composer, has constructed 
from it his inimitable drama, the “Nibelungen Ring;” 
W. Jordan, another German writer, has given it to the 
world in his “ Sigfrid’s Saga ; ” and Emanuel Geibel 
has derived from it the materials for his “ Tragedy of 
Brunhild.” 

And now I, too, come with the Story of Siegfried, 
still another version of the time-honored legend. The 
story as I shall tell it you is not in all respects a 
literal rendering of the ancient myth ; but I have taken 
the liberty to change and recast such portions of it as 
I have deemed advisable. Sometimes I have drawn 
materials from one version of the story, sometimes 
from another, and sometimes largely from my own 
imagination alone. Nor shall I be accused of impro- 
priety in thus reshaping a narrative, which, although 
hallowed by an antiquity of a thousand years and more, 
has already appeared in so many different forms, and 
been clothed in so many different garbs ; for, however 
much I may have allowed my fancy or my judgment 
to retouch and remodel the immaterial portions of the 


The Fore Word. 


xiii 

legend, the essential parts of this immortal myth re- 
main the same. And, if I succeed in leading you to 
a clearer understanding and a wiser appreciation of the 
thoughts and feelings of our old northern ancestors, I 
shall have accomplished the object for which I have 
written this Story of Siegfried. 















































































































































































































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CONTENTS 


PAGE 

THE FORE WORD ......... v 

ADVENTURE 

I. Mimer, the Master i 

II. Greyfell 19 

III. The Curse of Gold 35 

IV. Fafnir, the Dragon *55 

V. In jEgir’s Kingdom 68 

VI. Brunhild 87 

VII. In Nibelungen Land 96 

VIII. Siegfried’s Welcome Home 109 

IX. The Journey to Burgundy-Land . . . • . 115 

X. Kriemhild’s Dream 122 

/ 

XI. How the Spring-Time came 125 

XII. The War with the North-Kings . . . .137 

XIII. The Story of Balder 152 

XIV. How Gunther outwitted Brunhild . . .167 

XV. In Nibelungen Land again 183 

XVI. How Brunhild was welcomed Home . . .205 

XVII. How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land . 226 


XV 


XVI 


Contents. 


ADVENTURE PAGE 

XVIII. How the Mischief began to brew .... 248 
XIX. How THEY HUNTED IN THE ODENWALD . . . 269 

XX. How the Hoard was brought to Burgundy. . 283 


THE AFTER WORD 291 

NOTES 294 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Engraved by Frank French , J. P. Davis , E. Clement, and John Karst , 
From Drawings by Howard Pyle. 


PAGE 

The Forging of Balmung Frontispiece 

The Death of Fafnir 62 

The Awakening of Brunhild 94 

The Trial of Strength 180 

The Quarrel of the Queens 256 

The Death of Siegfried 282 




































































































































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ADVENTURE /. 


MIMER, THE MASTER. 

At Santen, in the Lowlands, there once lived a young 
prince named Siegfried. His father, Siegmund, was 
king of the rich country through which the lazy Rhine 
winds its way just before reaching the great North Sea; 
and he was known, both far and near, for his good deeds 
and his prudent thrift. And Siegfried’s mother, the 
gentle Sigelind, was loved by all for her goodness of 
heart and her kindly charity to the poor. Neither king 
nor queen left aught undone that might make the 
young prince happy, or fit him for life’s usefulness. 
Wise men were brought from far-off lands to be his 
teachers ; and every day something was added to his 
store of knowledge or his stock of happiness. And 
very skilful did he become in warlike games and in 
manly feats of strength. No other youth could throw 
the spear with so great force, or shoot the arrow with 
surer aim. No other youth could run more swiftly, or 
ride with more becoming ease. His gentle mother took 
delight in adding to the beauty of his matchless form 
by clothing him in costly garments decked with the 


1 


The Story of Siegfried. 


rarest jewels. The old, the young, the rich, the poor, 
the high, the low, all praised the fearless Siegfried, 
and all vied in friendly strife to win his favor. One 
would have thought that the life of the young prince 
could never be aught but a holiday, and that the 
birds would sing, and the flowers would bloom, and 
the sun would shine forever for his sake. 

But the business of man’s life is not mere pastime ; 
and none knew this truth better than the wise old king, 
Siegmund. 

“ All work is noble,” said he to Siegfried; “and he 
who yearns to win fame must not shun toil. Even 
princes should know how to earn a livelihood by the 
labor of their hands.” 

And so, while Siegfried was still a young lad, his 
father sent him to live with a smith called Mimer, 
whose smithy was among the hills not far from the 
great forest. For in those early times the work of 
the smith was looked upon as the most worthy of all 
trades, — a trade which the gods themselves were not 
ashamed to follow. And this smith Mimer was a won- 
derful master, — the wisest and most cunning that the 
world had ever seen. Men said that he was akin to 
the dwarf-folk who had ruled the earth in the early 
days, and who were learned in every lore, and skilled 
in every craft ; and they said that he was so exceeding 
old that no one could remember the day when he came 
to dwell in the land of Siegmund’s fathers. And some 
said, too, that he was the keeper of a wonderful well, 


Mimer, the Master . 


3 


or flowing spring, the waters of which imparted wis- 
dom and far-seeing knowledge to all who drank of 
them. 

To Mimer’s school, then, where he would be taught 
to work skilfully and to think wisely, Siegfried was 
sent, to be in all respects like the other pupils there.. 
A coarse blue blouse, and heavy leggings, and a leath- 
ern apron, took the place of the costly clothing which 
he had worn in his father’s dwelling. His feet were 
incased in awkward wooden shoes, and his head was 
covered with a wolf-skin cap. The dainty bed, with 
its downy pillows, wherein every night his mother had 
been wont, with gentle care, to see him safely covered, 
was given up for a rude heap of straw in a corner of 
the smithy. And the rich food to which he had been 
used gave place to the coarsest and humblest fare. 
But the lad did not complain. The days which he 
passed in the smithy were mirthful and happy ; and 
the sound of his hammer rang cheerfully, and the 
sparks from his forge flew briskly, from morning till 
night. 

And a wonderful smith he became. No one could 
do more work than he, and none wrought with greater 
skill. The heaviest chains and the strongest bolts, for 
prison or for treasure-house, were but as toys in his 
stout hands, so easily and quickly did he beat them 
into shape. And he was alike cunning in work of the 
most delicate and brittle kind. Ornaments of gold and 
silver, studded with the rarest jewels, were fashioned 


4 


The Story of Siegfried. 


into beautiful forms by his deft fingers. And among 
all of Mimer’s apprentices none learned the master’s 
lore so readily, nor gained the master’s favor more. 1 

One morning the master, Mimer, came to the smithy 
with a troubled look upon his face. It was clear that 
something had gone amiss ; and what it was the ap- 
prentices soon learned from the smith himself. Never, 
until lately, had any one questioned Mimer’s right to be 
called the foremost smith in all the world ; but now 
a rival had come forward. An unknown upstart — one 
Amilias, in Burgundy -land — had made a suit of armor, 
which, he boasted, no stroke of sword could dint, and 
no blow of spear could scratch ; and he had sent a 
challenge to all other smiths, both in the Rhine coun- 
try and elsewhere, to equal that piece of workmanship, 
or else acknowledge themselves his underlings and vas- 
sals. For many days had Mimer himself toiled, alone 
and vainly, trying to forge a sword whose edge the 
boasted armor of Amilias could not foil ; and now, in 
despair, he came to ask the help of his pupils and 
apprentices. 

“ Who among you is skilful enough to forge such a 
sword ? ” he asked. 

One after another, the pupils shook their heads. 
And Veliant, the foreman of the apprentices, said, “I 
have heard much about that wonderful armor, and its 
extreme hardness, and I doubt if any skill can make a 
sword with edge so sharp and true as to cut into it. 
The best that can be done is to try to make another 

1 See Note i at the end of this volume. 


Mimer , the Master . 


5 


war-coat whose temper shall equal that of Amilias’s 
armor.” 

Then the lad Siegfried quickly said, “I will make 
such a sword as you want, — a blade that no war-coat 
can foil. Give me but leave to try ! ” 

The other pupils laughed in scorn, but Mimer checked 
them. “You hear how this boy can talk : we will see 
what he can do. He is the king’s son, and we know 
that he has uncommon talent. He shall make the 
sword ; but if, upon trial, it fail, I will make him rue 
the day.” 

Then Siegfried went to his task. And for seven days 
and seven nights the sparks never stopped flying from 
his forge ; and the ringing of his anvil, and the hissing 
of the hot metal as he tempered it, were heard contin- 
uously. On the eighth day the sword was fashioned, 
and Siegfried brought it to Mimer. 

The smith felt the razor-edge of the bright weapon, 
and said, “ This seems, indeed, a fair fire-edge. Let us 
make a trial of- its keenness.” 

Then a thread of wool as light as thistle-down was 
thrown upon water, and, as it floated there, Mimer 
struck it with the sword. The glittering blade cleft 
the slender thread in twain, and the pieces floated 
undisturbed upon the surface of the liquid. 

“Well done !” cried the delighted smith. “Never 
have I seen a keener edge. If its temper is as true as 
its sharpness would lead us to believe, it will indeed 
serve me well.” 


6 


The Story of Siegfried. 


But Siegfried took the sword again, and broke it into 
many pieces ; and for three days he welded it in a white- 
hot lire, and tempered it with milk and oatmeal. Then, 
in sight of Mimer and the sneering apprentices, he cast 
a light ball of fine-spun wool upon the flowing water of 
the brook ; and it was caught in the swift eddies of the 
stream, and whirled about until it met the bared blade 
of the sword, which was held in Mimer’ s hands. And 
it was parted as easily and clean as the rippling water, 
and not the smallest thread was moved out of its place. 

Then back to the smithy Siegfried went again ; and 
his forge glowed with a brighter fire, and his hammer 
rang upon the anvil with a cheerier sound, than ever 
before. But he suffered none to come near, and no 
one ever knew what witchery he used. But some 
of his fellow-pupils afterwards told how, in the dusky 
twilight, they had seen a one-eyed man, long-bearded, 
and clad in a cloud-gray kirtle, and wearing a sky-blue 
hood, talking with Siegfried at the smithy door. And 
they said that the stranger’s face was at once pleasant 
and fearful to look upon, and that his one eye shone in 
the gloaming like the evening star, and that, when he 
had placed in Siegfried’s hands bright shards, like pieces 
of a broken sword, he faded suddenly from their sight, 
and was seen no more. 

For seven weeks the lad wrought day and night at 
his forge; and then, pale and haggard, but with a 
pleased smile upon his face, he stood before Mimer, 
with the gleaming sword in his hands. “ It is finished,” 


Mimer, the Master. 


7 


he said. “ Behold the glittering terror ! — the blade 
Balmung. Let us try its edge, and prove its temper 
once again, that so we may know whether you can 
place your trust in it 

And Mimer looked long at the ruddy hilts of the 
weapon, and at the mystic runes that were scored upon 
its sides, and at the keen edge, which gleamed like a ray 
of sunlight in the gathering gloom of the evening. But 
no word came from his lips, and his eyes were dim and 
dazed ; and he seemed as one lost in thoughts of days 
long past and gone. 

Siegfried raised the blade high over his head ; and 
the gleaming edge flashed hither and thither, like the 
lightning’s play when Thor rides over the storm-clouds. 
Then suddenly it fell upon the master’s anvil, and the 
great block of iron was cleft in two ; but the bright 
blade was no whit dulled by the stroke, and the line of 
light which marked the edge was brighter than before. 

Then to the flowing brook they went ; and a great 
pack of wool, the fleeces of ten sheep, was brought, and 
thrown upon the swirling water. As the stream bore 
the bundle downwards, Mimer held the sword in its 
way. And the whole was divided as easily and as 
clean as the woollen ball or the slender woollen thread 
had been cleft before. 

“ Now, indeed,” cried Mimer, “ I no longer fear to 
meet that upstart, Amilias. If his war-coat can with- 
stand the stroke of such a sword as Balmung, then I 
shall not be ashamed to be his underling. But, if this 


8 


The Story of Siegfried. 


good blade is what it seems to be, it will not fail me ; 
and I, Mimer the Old, shall still be called the wisest 
and greatest of smiths.” 

And he sent word at once to Amilias, in Burgundy- 
land, to meet him on a day, and settle forever the ques- 
tion as to which of the two should be the master, and 
which the underling. And heralds proclaimed it in every 
town and dwelling. When the time which had been 
set drew near, Mimer, bearing the sword Balmung, and 
followed by all his pupils and apprentices, wended his 
way towards the place of meeting. Through the forest 
they went, and then along the banks of the sluggish 
fiver, for many a league, to the height of land which 
marked the line between King Siegmund’s country and 
the country of the Burgundians. It was in this place, 
midway between the shops of Mimer and Amilias, that 
the great trial of metal and of skill was to be made. 
And here were already gathered great numbers of peo- 
ple from the Lowlands and from Burgundy, anxiously 
waiting for the coming of the champions. On the one 
side were the wise old Siegmund and his gentle queen, 
and their train of knights and courtiers and fair ladies. 
On the other side were the three Burgundian kings, 
Gunther, Gernot, and Giselher, and a mighty retinue of 
warriors, led by grim old Hagen, the uncle of the kings, 
and the wariest chief in all Rhineland. 

When every thing was in readiness for the contest, 
Amilias, clad in his boasted war-coat, went up to the 
top of the hill, and sat upon a great rock, and waited 


Mimer , the Master. 


9 


for Mimer’s coming. As he sat there, he looked, to the 
people below, like some great castle-tower ; for he was 
almost a giant in size, and his coat of mail, so skilfully 
wrought, was so huge that twenty men of common mould 
might have found shelter, or hidden themselves, within 
it. As the smith Mimer, so dwarfish in stature, toiled 
up the steep hillside, Amilias smiled to see him ; for he 
felt no fear of the slender, gleaming blade that was to 
try the metal of his war-coat. And already a shout 
of expectant triumph went up from the throats of the 
Burgundian hosts, so sure were they of their champion’s 
success. 

But Mimer’s friends waited in breathless silence, hop- 
ing, and yet fearing. Only King Siegmund whispered 
to his queen, and said, ‘‘Knowledge is stronger than 
brute force. The smallest dwarf who has drunk from 
the well of the Knowing One may safely meet the 
stoutest giant in battle.” 

When Mimer reached the top of the hill, Amilias 
folded his huge arms, and smiled again ; for he felt 
that this contest was mere play for him, and that 
Mimer was already as good as beaten, and his thrall. 
The smith paused a moment to take breath, and as 
he stood by the side of his foe he looked to those 
below like a mere black speck close beside a st£el-gray 
castle-tower. 

“ Are you ready ? ” asked the smith. 

“ Ready,” answered Amilias. “ Strike ! ” 

Mimer raised the beaming blade in the air, and for a 


to 


The Story of Siegfried. 


moment the lightning seemed to play around his head. 
The muscles on his short, brawny arms, stood out like 
great ropes ; and then Balmung, descending, cleft the 
air from right to left. The waiting lookers-on in the 
plain below thought to hear the noise of clashing steel ; 
but they listened in vain, for no sound came to their 
ears, save a sharp hiss like that which red-hot iron gives 
when plunged into a tank of cold water. The huge 
Amilias sat unmoved, with his arms still folded upon his 
breast ; but the smile had faded from his face. 

" How do you feel now ? ” asked Mimer in a half- 
mocking tone. 

“ Rather strangely, as if cold iron had touched me,” 
faintly answered the upstart. 

“ Shake thyself ! ” cried Mimer. 

Amilias did so, and, lo ! he fell in two halves ; for the 
sword had cut sheer through the vaunted war-coat, and 
cleft in twain the great body incased within. Down 
tumbled the giant head and the still folded arms, and 
they rolled with thundering noise to the foot of the hill, 
and fell with a fearful splash into the deep waters of 
the river ; and there, fathoms down, they may even 
now be seen, when the water is clear, lying like great 
gray rocks among the sand and gravel below. The rest 
of the body, with the armor which incased it, still sat 
upright in its place; and to this day -travellers sailing 
down the river are shown on moonlit evenings the 
luckless armor of Amilias on the high hill-top. In the 
dim, uncertain light, one easily fancies it to be the ivy- 
covered ruins of some old castle of feudal times. 


Mimer , the Master. 


1 1 


The master, Mimer, sheathed his sword, and walked 
slowly down the hillside to the plain, where his friends 
welcomed him with glad cheers and shouts of joy. 
But the Burgundians, baffled, and feeling vexed, turned 
silently homeward, nor cast a single look back to the 
scene of their disappointment and their ill-fated cham- 
pion’s defeat. 

And Siegfried went again with the master and his 
fellows to the smoky smithy, to his roaring bellows and 
ringing anvil, and to his coarse fare, and rude, hard bed, 
and to a life of labor. And while all men praised Mimer 
and his knowing skill, and the fiery edge of the sun- 
beam blade, no one knew that it was the boy Siegfried 
who had wrought that piece of workmanship. 

But after a while it was whispered around that not 
Mimer, but one of his pupils, had forged the sword. 
And, when the master was asked what truth there was 
in this story, his eyes twinkled, and the corners of his 
mouth twitched strangely, and he made no answer. 
But Veliant, the foreman of the smithy, and the great- 
est of boasters said, “ It was I who forged the fire-edge 
of the blade Balmung.” And, although none denied 
the truth of what he said, but few who knew what sort 
of a man he was believed his story. And this is the 
reason, my children, that, in the ancient songs and 
stories which tell of this wondrous sword, it is said by 
most that Mimer, and by a few that Veliant, forged its 
blade. But I prefer to believe that it was made by 
Siegfried, the hero who afterwards wielded it in so 


12 


The Story of Siegfried. 


many adventures. i Be this as it may, however, blind 
hate and jealousy were from this time uppermost in 
the coarse and selfish mind of Veliant ; and he sought 
how he might drive the lad away from the smithy in 
disgrace. “This boy has done what no one else could 
do,” said he. “ He may yet do greater deeds, and set 
himself up as the master smith of the world, and then 
we shall all have to humble ourselves before him as his 
underlings and thralls.” 

And he nursed this thought, and brooded over the 
hatred which he felt towards the blameless boy ; but he 
did not dare to harm him, for fear of their master, Mimer. 
And Siegfried busied himself at his forge, where the 
sparks flew as briskly and as merrily as ever before, 
and his bellows roared from early morning till late at 
evening. Nor did the foreman’s unkindness trouble 
him for a moment, for he knew that the master’s heart 
was warm towards him. 

Oftentimes^ when the day’s work was done, Siegfried 
sat with Mimer by the glowing light of the furnace-fire, 
and listened to the sweet tales which the master told 
of the deeds of the early days, when the world was 
young, and the dwarf-folk and the giants had a name 
and a place upon earth. And one night, as they thus 
sat, the master talked of Odin the All-Father, and of 
the gods who dwell with him in Asgard, and of the 
puny men-folk whom they protect and befriend, until 
his words grew full of bitterness, and his soul of a fierce 
longing for something he dared not name. And the 

1 See Note 3 at the end of this volume. 


Mimer, the Master. 


13 


lad’s heart was stirred with a strange uneasiness, and he 
said, — 

“Tell me, I pray, dear master, something about my 
own kin, my father’s fathers, — those mighty kings, who, 
I have heard said, were the bravest and best of men.” 

Then the smith seemed pleased again. And his eyes 
grew brighter, and lost their far-away look ; and a smile 
played among the wrinkles of his swarthy face, as he 
told a tale of old King Volsung and of the deeds of the 
Volsung kings : — 

“ Long years ago, before the evil days had dawned, 
King Volsung ruled over all the land which lies between 
the sea and the country of the Goths. The days were 
golden; and the good Frey dropped peace and plenty 
everywhere, and men went in and out and feared no 
wrong. King Volsung had a dwelling in the midst 
of fertile fields and fruitful gardens. Fairer than any 
dream was that dwelling. The roof was thatched with 
gold, and red turrets and towers rose abo\£e. The great 
feast-hall was long and high, and its walls were hung 
with sun-bright shields ; and the door-nails were of sil- 
ver. In the middle of the hall stood the pride of the 
Volsungs, — a tree whose blossoms filled the air with 
fragrance, and whose green branches, thrusting them- 
selves through the ceiling, covered the roof with fair 
foliage. It was. Odin’s tree, and King Volsung had 
planted it there with his own hands. 

“ On a day in winter King Volsung held a great 
feast in his hall in honor of Siggeir, the King of the 


14 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Goths, who was his guest And the fires blazed bright 
in the broad chimneys, and music and mirth went round. 
But in the midst of the merry-making the guests were 
startled by a sudden peal of thunder, which seemed to 
come from the cloudless sky, and which made the shields 
upon the walls rattle and ring. In wonder they looked 
around. A strange man stood in the doorway, and 
laughed, but said not a word. And they noticed that 
he wore no shoes upon his feet, but that a cloud-gray 
cloak was thrown over his shoulders, and a blue hood 
was drawn down over his head. His face was half- 
hidden by a heavy beard ; and he had but one eye, 
which twinkled and glowed like a burning coal. And 
all the guests sat moveless in their seats, so awed were 
they in the presence of him who stood at the door ; for 
they knew that he was none other than Odin the All- 
Father, the king of gods and men. He spoke not 
a word, but straight into the hall he strode, and he 
paused not until he stood beneath the blossoming 
branches of the tree. Then, forth from beneath his 
cloud-gray cloak, he drew a gleaming sword, and struck 
the blade deep into the wood, — so deep that nothing 
but the hilt was left in sight. And, turning to the 
awe-struck guests, he said, ‘ A blade of mighty worth 
have I hidden in this tree. Never have the earth-folk 
wrought better steel, nor has any man ever wielded a 
more trusty sword. Whoever there is among you brave 
enough and strong enough to draw it forth from the 
wood, he shall have it as a gift from Odin.’ Then 


Mimer, the Master. 


15 


: ^ 

slowly to the door he strode again, and no one saw 
him any more. 

“ And after he had gone, the Volsungs and their 
guests sat a long time silent, fearing to stir, lest the 
vision should prove a dream. But at last the old king 
arose, and cried, 4 Come, guests and kinsmen, and set 
your hands to the ruddy hilt ! Odin’s gift stays, waiting 
for its fated owner. Let us see which one of you is 
the favored of the All-Father.’ 'First Siggeir, the King 
of the Goths, and his earls, the Volsungs’ guests, 
tried their hands. But the blade stuck fast ; and the 
stoutest man among them failed to move it. Then 
King Volsung, laughing, seized the hilt, and drew with 
all his strength ; but the sword held still in the wood 
of Odin’s tree. And one by one the nine sons of Vol- 
sung tugged and strained in vain ; and each was greeted 
with shouts and laughter, as, ashamed and beaten, he 
wended to his seat again. Then, at last, Sigmund, 
the youngest son, stood up, and laid his hand upon the 
ruddy hilt, scarce thinking to try what all had failed to 
do. When, lo ! the blade came out of the tree as if 
therein it had all along lain loose. And Sigmund raised 
it high over his head, and shook it, and the bright flame 
that leaped from its edge lit up the hall like the light- 
ning’s gleaming; and the Volsungs and their guests 
rent the air- with cheers and shouts of gladness. For 
no one among all the men of the mid-world was 
more worthy of Odin’s gift than young Sigmund the 
brave.” 


i6 


The Story of Siegfried. 


But the rest of Mimer’s story would be too long to 
tell you now ; for he and his young apprentice sat for 
hours by the dying coals, and talked of Siegfried’s kin- 
folk, — the Volsung kings of old. And he told how 
Siggeir, the Goth king, was wedded to Signy the fair, 
the only daughter of Volsung, and the pride of the old 
king’s heart ; and how he carried her with him to his 
home in the land of the Goths ; and how he coveted 
Sigmund’s sword, and plotted to gain it by guile ; and 
how, through pretence of friendship, he invited the Vol- 
sung kings to visit him in Gothland, as the guests of 
himself and Signy ; and how he betrayed and slew them, 
save Sigmund alone, who escaped, and for long years 
lived an outlaw in the land of his treacherous foe. And 
then he told how Sigmund afterwards came back to his 
own country of the Volsungs ; and how his people wel- 
comed him, and he became a mighty king, such as the 
world had never known before ; and how, when he had 
grown old, and full of years and honors, he went out 
with his earls and fighting-men to battle against the 
hosts of King Lyngi the Mighty ; and how, in the midst 
of the fight, when his sword had hewn down numbers of 
the foe, and the end of the strife and victory seemed 
near, an old man, one-eyed and bearded, and wearing a 
cloud-gray cloak, stood up before him in the din, and his 
sword was broken in pieces, and he fell dead on the 
heap of the slain . 1 And, when Mimer had finished his 
tale, his dark face seemed to grow darker, and his twin- 


1 See Note 4 at the end of this volume. 


Mimer , the Master. 


17 


kling eyes grew brighter, as he cried out in a tone of 
despair and hopeless yearning, — 

“ Oh, past are those days of old and the worthy deeds 
of the brave ! And these are the days of the home- 
stayers, — of the wise, but feeble-hearted. Yet the 
Norns have spoken ; and it must be that another hero 
shall arise of the Volsung blood, and he shall restore 
the name and the fame of his kin of the early days. 
And he shall be my bane ; and in him shall the race of 
heroes have an end.” 1 

Siegfried’s heart was strangely stirred within him as 
he hearkened to this story of ancient times and to the 
fateful words of the master, and for a long time he sat 
in silent thought ; and neither he nor Mimer moved, or 
spoke again, until the darkness of the night had begun 
to fade, and the gray light of morning to steal into the 
smithy. Then, as if moved by a sudden impulse, he 
turned to the master, and said, — 

“You speak of the Norns, dear master, and of their 
foretelling ; but your words are vague, and their mean- 
ing very broad. When shall that hero come ? and who 
shall he be ? and what deeds shall be his doing ? ” 

“Alas ! ” answered Mimer, “I know not, save that he 
shall be of the Volsung race, and that thy fate is linked 
with his.” 

“And why do you not know?” returned Siegfried. 
“Are you not that old Mimer, in whom it is said the 
garnered wisdom of the world is stored ? Is there 


1 See Note 7 at the end of this volume. 


i8 


The Story of Siegfried. 


not truth in the old story that even Odin pawned one 
of his eyes for a single draught from your fountain 
of knowedge? And is the possessor of so much wis- 
dom unable to look into the future with clearness and 
certainty? ” 

“Alas ! ” answered Mimer again, and his words came 
hard and slow, “ I am not that Mimer, of whom old 
stories tell, who gave wisdom to the All-Father in ex- 
change for an eye. He is one of the giants, and he 
still watches his fountain in far-off Jotunheim. 1 I claim 
kinship with the dwarfs, and am sometimes known as 
an elf, sometimes as a wood-sprite. Men have called 
me Mimer because of my wisdom and skill, and the 
learning which I impart to my pupils. Could I but 
drink from the fountain of the real Mimer, then the 
wisdom of the world would in truth be mine, and the 
secrets of the future would be no longer hidden. But I 
must wait, as I have long waited, for the day and the 
deed and the doom that the Norns have foretold.” 

And the old strange look of longing came again into 
his eyes, and the wrinkles on his swarthy face seemed 
to deepen with agony, as he arose, and left the smithy. 
And Siegfried sat alone before the smouldering fire, and 
pondered upon what he had heard. 


1 See Note 2 at the end of this volume. 


Greyfell. 


19 


ADVENTURE II. 


GREYFELL. 

* 

Many were the pleasant days that Siegfried spent in 
Mimer’ s smoky smithy ; and if he ever thought of his 
father’s stately dwelling, or of the life of ease which he 
might have enjoyed within its halls, he never by word or 
deed showed signs of discontent. For Mimer taught 
him all the secrets of his craft and all the lore of the 
wise men. To beat hot iron, to shape the fire-edged 
sword, to smithy war-coats, to fashion the slender brace- 
let of gold and jewels, — all this he had already learned. 
But there were many other things to know, and these 
the wise master showed him. He told him how to carve 
the mystic runes which speak to the knowing ones with 
silent, unseen tongues ; he told him of the men of other 
lands, and taught him their strange speech ; he showed 
him how to touch the harp-strings, and bring forth 
bewitching music : and the heart of Siegfried waxed 
very wise, while his body grew wondrous strong. And 
the master loved his pupil dearly. 

But the twelve apprentices grew more jealous day by 
day, and when Mimer was away they taunted Siegfried 


20 


The Story of Siegfried. 


with cruel jests, and sought by harsh threats to drive 
him from the smithy ; but the lad only smiled, and 
made the old shop ring again with the music from his 
anvil. On a day when Mimer had gone on a journey, 
Veliant, the foreman, so far forgot himself as to strike 
the boy. For a moment Siegfried gazed at him with 
withering scorn ; then he swung his hammer high in 
air, and brought it swiftly down, not upon the head of 
Veliant, who was trembling with expectant fear, but 
upon the foreman’s anvil. The great block of iron was 
shivered by the blow, and flew into a thousand pieces. 
Then, turning again towards the thoroughly frightened 
foreman, Siegfried said, while angry lightning-flashes 
darted from his eyes, — 

“What if I were to strike you thus ? ” 

Veliant sank upon the ground, and begged for mercy. 
“You are safe,” said Siegfried, walking away. “I 
would scorn to harm a being like you ! ” 

The apprentices were struck dumb with amazement 
and fear ; and when Siegfried had returned to his anvil 
they one by one dropped their hammers, and stole away 
from the smithy. In a secret place not far from the 
shop, they met together, to plot some means by which 
they might rid themselves of him whom they both hated 
and feared. 

The next morning Veliant came to Siegfried’s forge, 
with a sham smile upon his face. The boy knew 
that cowardice and base deceit lurked, ill concealed, 
beneath that smile ; yet, as he was wont to do, he 
welcomed the foreman kindly. 


GreyfelL 


21 


“ Siegfried,” said Veliant, “let us be friends again. 
I am sorry that I was so foolish and so rash yesterday, 
and I promise that I will never again be so rude and 
unmanly as to become angry at you. Let us be friends, 
good Siegfried ! Give me your hand, I pray you, and 
with it your forgiveness.” 

Siegfried grasped the rough palm of the young smith 
with such a gripe, that the smile vanished from Veliant’s 
face, and his muscles writhed with pain. 

“I give you my hand, certainly,” said the boy, “and 
I will give you my forgiveness when I know that you 
are worthy of it.” 

As soon as Veliant’s aching hand allowed him speech, 
he said, — 

“Siegfried, you know that we have but little charcoal 
left for our forges, and our master will soon return from 
his journey. It will never do for him to find us idle, 
and the fires cold. Some one must go to-day to the 
forest-pits, and bring home a fresh supply of charcoal. 
How would you like the errand ? It is but a pleasant 
day’s journey to the pits ; and a ride into the green- 
wood this fine summer day would certainly be more 
agreeable than staying in the smoky shop.” 

“ I should like the drive very much,” answered Sieg- 
fried ; “ but I have never been to the coal-pits, and I 
might lose my way in the forest.” 

“No danger of that,” said Veliant. “Follow the 
road that goes straight into the heart of the forest, 
and you cannot miss your way. It will lead you to the 


22 


The Story of Siegfried . 


house of Regin, the master, the greatest charcoal-man 
in all Rhineland. He will be right glad to see you for 
Mimer’s sake, and you may lodge with him for the 
night. In the morning he will fill your cart with the 
choicest charcoal, and you can drive home at your leis- 
ure ; and, when our master comes again, he will find 
our forges flaming, and our bellows roaring, and our 
anvils ringing, as of yore.” 

Siegfried, after some further parley, agreed to under- 
take the errand, although he felt that Veliant, in urging 
him to do so, wished to work him some harm. He har- 
nessed the donkey to the smith’s best cart, and drove 
merrily away along the road which led towards the 
forest . 1 The day was bright and clear; and as Sieg- 
fried rode through the flowery meadows, or betwixt the 
fields of corn, a thousand sights and sounds met him, 
and made him .glad. Now and then he would stop to 
watch the reapers in the fields, or to listen to the song 
of some heaven-soaring lark lost to sight in the blue 
sea overhead. Once he met a company of gayly dressed 
youths and maidens, carrying sheaves of golden grain, 
— for it was now the harvest-time, — and singing in 
praise of Frey, the giver of peace and plenty. 

“ Whither away, young prince ? ” they merrily asked. 

“To Regin, the coal-burner, in the deep greenwood,” 
he answered. 

“Then may the good Frey have thee in keeping!” 
they cried. “ It is a long and lonesome journey.” And 
each one blessed him as they passed. 

1 See Note 5 at the end of this volume. 


GreyfelL 


23 


It was nearly noon when he drove into the forest, 
and left the blooming meadows and the warm sunshine 
behind him. And now he urged the donkey forwards 
with speed ; for he knew that he had lost much precious 
time, and that many miles still lay between him and 
Regin’s charcoal-pits. And there was nothing here 
amid the thick shadows of the wood to make him wish 
to linger ; for the ground was damp, and the air was 
chilly, and every thing was silent as the grave. And 
not a living creature did Siegfried see, save now and 
then a gray wolf slinking across the road, or a doleful owl 
sitting low down in some tree-top, and blinking at him 
in the dull but garish light. Evening at last drew on, 
and the shadows in the wood grew deeper ; and still no 
sign of charcoal-burner, nor of other human being, was 
seen. Night came, and thick darkness settled around ; 
and all the demons of the forest came forth, and clam- 
ored and chattered, and shrieked and howled. But 
Siegfried was not afraid. The bats and vampires came 
out of their hiding-places, and flapped their clammy 
wings in his face ; and he thought that he saw ogres and 
many fearful .creatures peeping out from behind every 
tree and shrub. But, when he looked upwards through 
the overhanging tree-tops, he saw the star-decked roof 
of heaven, the blue mantle which the All-Father has 
hung as a shelter over the world ; and he went bravely 
onwards, never doubting bu£ that Odin has many good 
things in store for those who are willing to trust him. 

And by and by the great round moon arose in the 


24 


The Story of Siegfried . 


east, and the fearful sounds that had made the forest 
hideous began to die away ; and Siegfried saw, far down 
the path, a red light feebly gleaming. And he was 
glad, for he knew that it must come from the charcoal- 
burners’ pits. Soon he came out upon a broad, cleared 
space ; and the charcoal-burners’ fires blazed bright 
before him ; and some workmen, swarthy and soot- 
begrimed, came forwards to meet him. 

“ Who are you ? ” they asked ; “ and why do you come 
through the forest at this late hour ? ” 

“I am Siegfried,” answered the boy; “and I come 
from Mimer’s smithy. I seek Regin, the king of char- 
coal-burners ; for I must have coal for my master’s 
smithy.” 

“ Come with me,” said one of the men : “ I will lead 
you to Regin.” 

Siegfried alighted from his cart, and followed the 
man to a low-roofed hut not far from the burning pits. 
As they drew near, they heard the sound of a harp, and 
strange, wild music within ; and Siegfried’s heart was 
stirred with wonder as he listened. The man knocked 
softly at the door, and the music ceased. 

“Who comes to break into Regin’s rest at such a 
time as this ? ” said a rough voice within. 

“A youth who calls himself Siegfried,” answered the 
man. “ He says that he comes from Mimer’s smithy, 
and he would see you, my master.” 

“ Let him come in,” said the voice. 

Siegfried passed through the low door, and into the 


Greyfell. 


25 


room beyond ; and so strange was the sight that met him 
that he stood for a while in awe, for never in so lowly 
a dwelling had treasures so rich been seen. Jewels 
sparkled from the ceiling; rare tapestry covered the 
walls ; and on the floor were heaps of ruddy gold and 
silver, still unfashioned. And in the midst of all this 
wealth stood Regin, the king of the forest, the great- 
est of charcoal-men. And a strange old man he was, 
wrinkled and gray and beardless ; but out of his eyes 
sharp glances gleamed of a light that was not human, 
and his heavy brow and broad forehead betokened wis- 
dom and shrewd cunning. And he welcomed Siegfried 
kindly for Mimer’s sake, and set before him a rich repast 
of venison, and wild honey, and fresh white bread, and 
luscious grapes. And, when the meal was finished, the 
boy would have told his errand, but Regin stopped him. 

“ Say nothing of your business to-night,” said he ; 
“for the hour is already late, and you are weary. Better 
lie down, and rest until the morrow ; and then we will 
talk of the matter which has brought you hither.” 

And Siegfried was shown to a couch of the fragrant 
leaves of the myrtle and hemlock, overspread with soft 
white linen, such as is made in the far-off Emerald Isle ; 
and he was lulled to sleep by sweet strains of music 
from Regin’s harp, — music which told of the days when 
the gods were young on the earth. And as he slept 
he dreamed. He dreamed that he stood upon the crag 
of a high mountain, and that the eagles flew screaming 
around him, and the everlasting snows lay at his feet, 


26 


The Story of Siegfried . 


and the world in all its beauty was stretched out like a 
map below him ; and he longed to go forth to partake 
of its abundance, and to make for himself a name among 
men. Then came the Norns, who spin the thread, and 
weave the woof, of every man’s life ; and they held in 
their hands the web of his own destiny. And Urd, the 
Past, sat on the tops of the eastern mountains, where 
the sun begins to rise at dawn ; while Verdanda, the 
Present, stood in the western sea, where sky and water 
meet. And they stretched the web between them, and 
its ends were hidden in the far-away mists. Then with 
all their might the two Norns span the purple and golden 
threads, and wove the fatal woof. But as it began to 
grow in beauty and in strength, and to shadow the earth 
with its gladness and its glory, Skuld, the pitiless Norn 
of the Future, seized it with rude fingers, and tore it 
into shreds, and cast it down at the feet of Hela, the 
white queen of the dead. 1 And the eagles shrieked, 
and* the mountain shook, and the crag toppled, and 
Siegfried awoke. 

The next morning, at earliest break of day, the 
youth sought Regin, and made known his errand. 

“I have come for charcoal for my master Mimer’s 
forges. My cart stands ready outside ; and I pray you 
to have it filled at once, for the way is long, and I must 
be back betimes.” 

Then a strange smile stole over Regin’s wrinkled 
face, and he said, — 

1 See Note 6 at the end of this volume. 


GreyfelL 


27 


“Does Siegfried the prince come on such a lowly 
errand ? Does he come to me through the forest, driv- 
ing a donkey, and riding in a sooty coal-cart ? I have 
known the day when his kin were the mightiest kings 
of earth, and they fared through every land the noblest 
men of men-folk.” 

The taunting word, the jeering tones, made Sieg- 
fried’s anger rise. The blood boiled in his veins ; but 
he checked his tongue, and mildly answered, — 

“ It is true that I am a prince, and my father is the 
wisest of kings ; and it is for this reason that I come 
thus to you. Mimer is my master, and my father early 
taught me that even princes must obey their masters’ 
behests.” 

Then Regin laughed, and asked, “ How long art thou 
to be Mimer’s thrall ? Does no work wait for thee but 
at his smoky forge ? ” 

“ When Mimer gives me leave, and Odin calls me,” 
answered the lad, “ then I, too, will go faring over fche 
world, like my kin of the earlier days, to carve me a 
name and great glory, and a place with the noble of 
earth.” 

Regin said not a word ; but he took his harp, and 
smote the strings, and a sad, wild music filled the room. 
And he sang of the gods and the dwarf-folk, and of the 
deeds that had been in the time long past and gone. 
And a strange mist swam before Siegfried’s eyes ; and 
so bewitching were the strains that fell upon his ears, 
and filled his soul, that he forgot about his errand, and 


28 


The Story of Siegfried. 


his master Mimer, and his father Siegmund, and his 
lowland home, and thought only of the heart-gladdening 
sounds. By and by the music ended, the spell was 
lifted, and Siegfried turned his eyes towards the musi- 
cian. A wonderful change had taken place. The little 
old man still stood before him with the harp in his 
hand ; but his wrinkled face was hidden by a heavy 
beard, and his thin gray locks were covered with a long 
black wig, and he seemed taller and stouter than before. 
As Siegfried started with surprise, his host held out his 
hand, and said, — 

“ You need not be alarmed, my boy. It is time for 
you to know that Regin and Mimer are the same per- 
son, or rather that Mimer is Regin disguised . 1 The 
day has come for you to go your way into the world, 
and Mimer gives you leave.” 

Siegfried was so amazed he could not say a word. 
He took the master’s hand, and gazed long into his 
deep, bright eyes. Then the two sat down together, 
and Mimer, or Regin as we shall now call him, told the 
prince many tales of the days that had been, and of his 
bold, wise forefathers. And the lad’s heart swelled 
within him ; and he longed to be like them, — to dare 
and do and suffer, and gloriously win at last. And he 
turned to Regin and said, — 

“Tell me, wisest of masters, what I shall do to win 
fame, and to make myself worthy to rule the fair land 
which my fathers held.” 


1 See Note 8 at the end of this volume. 


Greyfell. 


29 


“Go forth in your own strength, and with Odin’s 
help,” answered Regin, — “go forth to right the wrong, 
to help the weak, to punish evil, and come not back to 
your father’s kingdom until the world shall know your 
noble deeds.” 

“But whither shall I go?” asked Siegfried. 

“ T will tell you,” answered Regin. “Put on these 
garments, which better befit a prince than those soot- 
begrimed clothes you have worn so long. Gird about 
you this sword, the good Balmung, and go northward. 
When you come to the waste lands which border upon 
the sea, you will find the ancient Gripir, the last of the 
kin of the giants. Ask of him a war-steed, and Odin 
will tell you the rest.” 

So, when the sun had risen high above the trees, 
Siegfried bade Regin good-by, and went forth like a 
man, to take whatsoever fortune should betide. He 
went through the great forest, and across the bleak 
moorland beyond, and over the huge black mountains 
that stretched themselves across his way, and came to 
a pleasant country all dotted with white farmhouses, 
and yellow with waving corn. But he tarried not here, 
though many kind words were spoken to him, and all 
besought him to stay. Right onwards he went, until 
he reached the waste land which borders the sound- 
ing sea. And there high mountains stood, with snow- 
crowned crags beetling over the waves ; and a great 
river, all foaming with the summer floods, went rolling 
through the valley. And in the deep dales between 


30 


The Story of Siegfried. 


the mountains were rich meadows, green with grass, 
and speckled with thousands of flowers of every hue, 
where herds of cattle and deer, and noble elks, and 
untamed horses, fed in undisturbed peace. And Sieg- 
fried, when he saw, knew that these were the pastures 
of Gripir the ancient. 

High up among the gray mountain-peaks stood Gripir’s 
dwelling, — a mighty house, made of huge bowlders 
brought by giant hands from the far north-land. And 
the wild eagles built their nests around it, and the 
mountain vultures screamed about its doors. But Sieg- 
fried was not afraid. He climbed the steep pathway 
which the feet of men had never touched before, and, 
without pausing, walked straightway into the high-built 
hall. The room was so dark that at first he could see 
nothing save the white walls, and the glass-green pillars 
which upheld the roof. But the light grew stronger 
soon ; and Siegfried saw, beneath a heavy canopy of 
stone, the ancient Gripir, seated in a chair made from 
the sea-horse’s teeth . 1 And the son of the giants held in 
his hand an ivory staff ; and a purple mantle was thrown 
over his shoulders, and his white beard fell in sweeping 
waves almost to the sea-green floor. Very wise he 
seemed, and he gazed at Siegfried with a kindly smile. 

“ Hail, Siegfried ! ” he cried. “ Hail, prince with 
the gleaming eye ! I know thee, and I know the woof 
that the Noras have woven for thee. Welcome to my 
lonely mountain home ! Come and sit by my side in the 

1 See Note 9 at the end of this volume. 


Greyfell. 


3i 


high-seat where man has never sat, and I will tell thee 
of things that have been, and of things that are yet 
to be.” 

Then Siegfried fearlessly went and sat by the side of 
the ancient wise one. And long hours they talked 
together, — strong youth and hoariest age ; and each 
was glad that in the other he had found some source of 
hope and comfort. And they talked of the great mid- 
world, and of the starry dome above it, and of the seas 
which gird it, and of the men who live upon it. All 
night long they talked, and in the morning Siegfried 
arose to go. 

“Thou hast not told me of thy errand,” said. Gripir; 
“ but I know what it is. Come first with me, and see 
this great mid-world for thyself.” 

Then Gripir, leaning on his staff, led the way out of 
the great hall, and up to the top of the highest moun- 
tain-crag. And the wild eagles circled in the clear, 
cold air above them ; and far below them the white 
waves dashed against the mountain’s feet ; and the 
frosty winds swept around them unchecked, bringing 
to their ears the lone lamenting of the north giants, 
moaning for the days that had been and for the* glories 
that were past. Then Siegfried looked to the north, 
and he saw the dark mountain-wall of Norway trending 
away in solemn grandeur towards the frozen sea, but 
broken here and there by sheltering fjords, and pleasant, 
sunny dales. He looked to the east, and saw a great 
forest stretching away and away until it faded to sight 


32 


The Story of Siegfried. 


in the blue distance. He looked to the south, and saw 
a pleasant land, with farms and vineyards, and towns 
and strong-built castles ; and through it wound the 
River Rhine, like a great white serpent, reaching from 
the snow-capped Alps to the northern sea. And he 
saw his father’s little kingdom of the Netherlands lying 
like a green speck on the shore of the ocean. Then he 
looked to the west, and nothing met his sight but a 
wilderness of rolling, restless waters, save, in the far 
distance, a green island half hidden by sullen mists 
and clouds. And Siegfried sighed, and said, — 

“ The world is so wide, and the life of man so short ! ” 
“The world is all before thee,” answered Gripir. 
“Take what the Norns have allotted thee. Choose 
from my pastures a battle-steed, and ride forth to win 
for thyself a name and fame among the sons of men.” 

Then Siegfried ran down the steep side of the moun- 
tain to the grassy dell where the horses were feeding. 
But the beasts were all so fair and strong, that he knew 
not which to choose. While he paused, uncertain what 
to do, a strange man stood before him. Tall and hand- 
some was the man, with one bright eye, and a face 
beaming like the dawn in summer; and upon his head 
he wore a sky-blue hood bespangled with golden stars, 
and over his shoulder was thrown a cloak of ashen gray. 

“Would you choose a horse, Sir Siegfried?” asked 
the stranger. 

“ Indeed I would,” answered he. “ But it is hard to 
make a choice among so many.” 


Greyfell. 


33 


• “ There is one in the meadow,” said the man, “far 
better than all the rest. They say that he came from 
Odin’s pastures on the green hill-slopes of Asgard, and 
that none but the noblest shall ride him.” 

“ Which is he ? ” asked Siegfried. 

“Drive the herd into the river,” was the answer, 
“and then see if you can pick him out.” 

And Siegfried and the stranger drove the horses 
down the sloping bank, and into the rolling stream ; but 
the flood was too strong for them. Some soon turned 
back to the shore ; while others, struggling madly, were 
swept away, and carried out to the sea. Only one 
swam safely over. He shook the dripping water from 
his mane, tossed his head in the air, and then plunged 
again into the stream. Right bravely he stemmed the 
torrent the second time. He clambered up the shelving 
bank, and stood by Siegfried’s side. 

“What need to tell you that this is the horse?” said 
the stranger. “Take him: he is yours. He is Grey- 
fell, the shining hope that Odin sends to his chosen 
heroes.” 

And then Siegfried noticed that the horse’s mane 
glimmered and flashed like a thousand rays from the 
sun, and that his coat was as white and clear as the 
fresh-fallen snow on the mountains. He turned to 
speak to the stranger, but he was nowhere to be seen ; 
and Siegfried bethought him how he had talked with 
Odin unawares. Then he mounted the noble Greyfell, 
and rode with a light heart across the flowery meadows. 


34 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Whither ridest thou?” cried Gripir the ancient, 
from his doorway among the crags. 

“I ride into the wide world,” said Siegfried; “but 
I know not whither. I would right the wrong, and 
help the weak, and make myself a name on the earth, 
as did my kinsmen of yore. Tell me, I pray you, 
where I shall go ; for you are wise, and you know the 
things which have been, and those which shall befall.” 

“ Ride back to Regin, the master of masters,” an- 
swered Gripir. “ He will tell thee of a wrong to be 
righted.” 

And the ancient son of the giants withdrew into his 
lonely abode ; and Siegfried, on the shining Greyfell, 
rode swiftly away towards the south. 


The Curse of Gold. 


35 


ADVENTURE III. 


THE CURSE OF GOLD. 

> 

Forth then rode Siegfried, upon the beaming Grey- 
fell, out into the broad mid-world. And the sun shone 
bright above him, and the air was soft and pure, and 
the earth seemed very lovely, and life a gladsome thing. 
And his heart was big within him as he thought of 
the days to come, of the deeds of love and daring, of the 
righting of many wrongs, of the people’s praise, and 
the glory of a life well lived. And he wended his way 
back again toward the south and the fair lands of the 
Rhine. He left the barren moorlands behind him, and 
the pleasant farms and villages of the fruitful country- 
side, and after many days came once more to Regin’s 
woodland dwelling. For he said to himself,. “ My old 
master is very wise ; and he knows of the deeds that 
were done when yet the world was young, and my kin 
were the mightiest of men. I will go to him, and learn 
what grievous evil it is that he has so often vaguely 
hinted at.” 

Regin, when he saw the lad and the beaming Grey- 
fell standing like a vision of light at his door, welcomed 


3 6 


The Story of Siegfried . 


them most gladly, and led Siegfried into the inner 
room, where they sat down together amid the gold, and 
the gem-stones, and the fine-wrought treasures there. 

“Truly,” said the master, “the days of my long 
waiting are drawing to a close, and at last the deed 
shall be done.” 

And the old look of longing came again into his 
eyes, and his pinched face seemed darker and more 
wrinkled than before, and his thin lips trembled with 
emotion as he spoke. 

“ What is that deed of which you speak ? ” asked 
Siegfried. 

“ It is the righting of a grievous wrong,” answered 
Regin, “and the winning of treasures untold. Lo, 
many years have I waited for the coming of this day ; 
and now my heart tells me that the hero so long hoped 
for is here, and the wisdom and the wealth of the world 
shall be mine.” 

“But what is the wrong to be righted ?” asked Sieg- 
fried. “ And what is this treasure that you speak of as 
your own ? ” 

“ Alas ! ” answered Regin, “ the treasure is indeed 
mine ; and yet wrongfully has it been withheld from me. 
But listen a while to a tale of the early days, and thou 
shalt know what the treasure is, and what is the wrong 
to be righted.” 

He took his harp and swept the strings, and played 
a soft, low melody which told of the dim past, and of 
blighted hopes, and of a nameless, never-satisfied 


The Curse of Gold. 


37 


yearning for that which might have been. And then 
he told Siegfried this story : — 

regin’s story. 

When the earth was still very young, and men were 
feeble and few, and the Dwarfs were many and strong, 
the Asa-folk were wont oft-times to leave their halls in 
heaven-towering Asgard in order to visit the new-formed 
mid-world, and to see what the short-lived sons of men 
were doing. Sometimes they came in their own god- 
like splendor and might ; sometimes they came disguised 
as feeble men-folk, with all man’s weaknesses and all his 
passions. Sometimes Odin, as a beggar, wandered from 
one country to another, craving charity; sometimes, as 
a warrior clad in coat of mail, he rode forth to battle 
for the cause of right ; or as a minstrel he sang from 
door to door, and played sweet music in the halls of the 
great ; or as a huntsman he dashed through brakes and 
fens,- and into dark forests, and climbed steep mountains 
in search of game; or as a sailor he embarked upon 
the sea, and sought new scenes in unknown lands. And 
many times did men-folk entertain him unawares. 

Once on a time he came to the mid-world in com- 
pany with Hoenir and Loki ; and the three wandered 
through many lands and in many climes, each giving 
gifts wherever they went. Odin gave knowledge and 
strength, and taught men how to read the mystic runes ; 
Hoenir gave gladness and good cheer, and lightened 
many hearts with the glow of his comforting presence ; 


38 


The Story of Siegfried. 


but Loki had nought to give but cunning deceit and 
base thoughts, and he left behind him bitter strife and 
many aching breasts. At last, growing tired of the 
fellowship of men, the three Asas sought the solitude 
of the forest, and as huntsmen wandered long among 
the hills and over the wooded heights of Hunaland. 
Late one afternoon they came to a mountain-stream at 
a place where it poured over a ledge of rocks, and fell 
in clouds of spray into a rocky gorge below. As they 
stood, and with pleased eyes gazed upon the waterfall, 
they saw near the bank an otter lazily making ready 
to eat a salmon which he had caught. And Loki, ever 
bent on doing mischief, hurled a stone at the harmless 
beast, and killed it. And he boasted loudly that he had 
done a worthy deed. And he took both the otter, and 
the fish which it had caught, and carried them with him 
as trophies of the day’s success. 

Just at nightfall the three huntsmen came to a lone 
farmhouse in the valley, and asked for food, and for 
shelter during the night. 

“Shelter you shall have,” said the farmer, whose 
name was Hreidmar, “for the rising clouds foretell a 
storm. But food I have none to give you. Surely 
huntsmen of skill should not want for food ; since the 
forest teems with game, and the streams are full of 
fish.” 

Then Loki threw upon the ground the otter and the 
fish, and said, “We have sought in both forest and 
stream, and we have taken from them at one blow both 


The Curse of Gold . 


39 


flesh and fish. Give us but the shelter you promise, 
and we will not trouble you for food.” 

The farmer gazed with horror upon the lifeless body 
of the otter, and cried out, “This creature which you 
mistook for an otter, and which you have robbed and 
killed, is my son Oddar, who for mere pastime had 
taken the form of the furry beast. You are but thieves 
and murderers ! ” 

Then he called loudly for help : and his two sons 
Fafnir and Regin, sturdy and valiant kin of the dwarf- 
folk, rushed in, and seized upon the huntsmen, and 
bound them hand and foot ; for the three Asas, having 
taken upon themselves the forms of men, had no more 
than human strength, and were unable to withstand 
them. 

Then Odin and his fellows bemoaned their ill fate. 
And Loki said, “ Wherefore did we foolishly take upon 
ourselves the likenesses of puny men ? Had I my own 
power once more, I would never part with it in exchange 
for man’s weaknesses.” 

And Hoenir sighed, and said, “ Now, indeed, will 
darkness win : and the frosty breath of the Reimthursen 
giants will blast the fair handiwork of the sunlight and 
the heat ; for the givers of life and light and warmth 
are helpless prisoners in the hands of these cunning 
and unforgiving jailers.” 

“Surely,” said Odin, “not even the highest are free 
from obedience to heaven’s behests and the laws of 
right. I, whom men call the Preserver of Life, have 


40 


The Story of Siegfried. 


demeaned myself by being found in evil company ; and, 
although I have done no other wrong, I suffer rightly 
for the doings of this mischief-maker with whom I have 
stooped to have fellowship. For all are known, not so 
much by what they are as by what they seem to be, 
and they bear the bad name which their comrades bear. 
Now I am fallen from my high estate. Eternal right 
is higher than I. And in the last Twilight of the gods 
I must needs meet the dread Fenris-wolf, and in the 
end the world will be made new again, and the shining 
Balder will rule in sunlight majesty forever.” 

Then the Asas asked Hreidmar, their jailer, what 
ransom they should pay for their freedom ; and he, not 
knowing who they were, said, “ I must first know what 
ransom you are able to give.” 

“We will give any thing you may ask,” hastily an- 
swered Loki. 

Hreidmar then called his sons, and bade them strip 
the skin from the otter’s body. When this was done, 
they brought the furry hide and spread it upon the 
ground ; and Hreidmar said, “ Bring shining gold and 
precious stones enough to cover every part of this otter- 
skin. When you have paid so much ransom, you shall 
have your freedom.” 

“That we will do,” answered Odin. “But one af .us 
must have leave to go and fetch it : the other two will 
stay fast bound until the morning dawns. If, by that 
time, the gold is not here, you may do with us as you 
please.” 


The Curse of Gold. 


4i 


Hreidmar and the two young men agreed to Odin’s 
offer; and, lots being cast, it fell to Loki to go and 
fetch the treasure. When he had been loosed from the 
cords which bound him, Loki donned his magic shoes, 
which had carried him over land and sea from the far- 
thest bounds of the mid-world, and hastened away upon 
his errand. And he sped with the swiftness of light, 
over the hills and the wooded slopes, and the deep dark 
valleys, and the fields and forests and sleeping hamlets, 
until he came to the place where dwelt the swarthy 
elves and the cunning dwarf Andvari. There the River 
Rhine, no larger than a meadow-brook, breaks forth 
from beneath a mountain of ice, which the Frost- 
giants and blind old Hoder, the Winter-king, had built 
long years before ; for they had vainly hoped that they 
might imprison the river at its fountain-head. But the 
baby-brook had eaten its way beneath the frozen mass, 
and had sprung out from its prison, and gone on, leap- 
ing and smiling, and kissing the sunlight, in its ever- 
widening course towards Burgundy and the sea. 

Loki came to this place, because he knew that here 
was the home of the elves who had laid up the greatest 
hoard of treasures ever known in the mid-world. He 
scanned with careful eyes the . mountain-side, and the 
deep, rocky caverns, and the dark gorge through which 
the little river rushed ; but in the dim moonlight not a 
living being could he see, save a lazy salmon swimming 
in the quieter eddies of the stream. Any one but Loki 
would have lost all hope of finding treasure there, at 


42 


The Story of Siegfried. 


least before the dawn of day ; but his wits were quick, 
and his eyes were very sharp. 

“ One salmon has brought us into this trouble, and 
another shall help us out of it ! ” he cried. 

Then, swift as thought, he sprang again into the air ; 
and the magic shoes carried him with greater speed 
than before down the Rhine valley, and through Bur- 
gundy-land, and the low meadows, until he came to the 
shores of the great North Sea. He sought the halls 
of old y£gir, the Ocean-king ; but he wist not which way 
to go, — whether across the North Sea towards Isen- 
land, or whether along the narrow channel between 
Britain-land and the main. While he paused, uncertain 
where to turn, he saw the pale-haired daughters of old 
JEgir, the white-veiled Waves, playing in the moonlight 
near the shore. Of them he asked the way to ^Egir’s 
hall. 

“Seven days’ journey westward,” said they, “beyond 
the green Isle of Erin, is our father’s hall. Seven days’ 
journey northward, on the bleak Norwegian shore* is our 
father’s hall.” 

And they stopped not once in their play, but rippled 
and danced on the shelving beach, or dashed with force 
against the shore. 

“Where is your mother Ran, the Queen of the 
Ocean?” asked Loki.” 

And they answered, — 


The Curse of Gold. 


43 


‘ In the deep sea-caves 
By the sounding shore, 

In the dashing waves 
When the wild storms roar, 

In her cold green bowers 
In the northern fiords, 

She lurks and she glowers, 

She grasps and she hoards, 

And she spreads her strong net for her prey.” 

Loki waited to hear no more ; but he sprang into 
the air, and the magic shoes carried him onwards over 
the water in search of the Ocean-queen. He had not 
gone far when his sharp eyes espied her, lurking near a 
rocky shore against which the breakers dashed with 
frightful fury. Half hidden in the deep dark water, 
she lay waiting and watching ; and she spread her cun- 
ning net upon the waves, and reached out with her long 
greedy fingers to seize whatever booty might come near 
her. 

When the wary queen saw Loki, she hastily drew in 
her net, and tried to hide herself in the shadows of an 
overhanging rock. But Loki called her by name, and 
said, — 

“ Sister Ran, fear not ! I am your friend Loki, 
whom once you served as a guest in Higir’s gold-lit 
halls.” 

Then the Ocean-queen came out into the bright 
moonlight, and welcomed Loki to her domain, and 
asked, “Why does Loki thus wander so far from As- 
gard, and over the trackless waters ? ” 


44 


The Story of Siegfried . 


And Loki answered, “ I have heard of the net which 
you spread upon the waves, and from which no creature 
once caught in its meshes can ever escape. I have 
found a salmon where the Rhine-spring gushes from 
beneath the mountains, and a very cunning salmon he 
is, for no common skill can catch him. Come, I pray, 
with your wondrous net, and cast it into the stream 
where he lies. Do but take the wary fish for me, and 
you shall have more gold than you have taken in a year 
from the wrecks of stranded vessels.” 

“ I dare not go,” cried Ran. “ A bound is set, be- 
yond which I may not venture. If all the gold of earth 
were offered me, I could not go.” 

“Then lend me your net/’ entreated Loki. “Lend 
me your net, and I will bring it back to-morrow filled 
with gold.” 

“ Much I would like you^ gold,” answered Ran ; 
“ but I cannot lend my net. Should I do so, I might 
lose the richest prize that has ever come into my hus- 
band’s kingdom. For three days, now, a gold-rigged 
ship, bearing a princely crew with rich armor and 
abundant wealth, has been sailing carelessly over these 
seas. To-morrow I shall send my daughters and the 
bewitching mermaids to decoy the vessel among the 
rocks. And into my net the ship, and the brave war- 
riors, and all their armor and gold, shall fall. A rich 
prize it will be. No : I cannot part with my net, even 
for a single hour.” 

But Loki knew the power of flattering words. 


The Curse of Gold. 


45 


“Beautiful queen,” said he, “there is no one on earth, 
nor even in Asgard, who can equal you in wisdom and 
foresight. Yet I promise you, that, if you will but lend 
me your net until the morning dawns, the ship and the 
crew of which you speak shall be yours, and all their 
golden treasures shall deck your azure halls in the deep 
sea.” 

Then Ran carefully folded the net, and gave it to 
Loki. 

“ Remember your promise,” was all that she said. 

“An Asa never forgets,” he answered. 

And he turned his face again towards Rhineland ; and 
the magic shoes bore him aloft, and carried him in a 
moment back to the ice-mountain and the gorge and the 
infant river, which he had so lately left. The salmon 
still rested in his place, and had not moved during Loki’s 
short absence. 

Loki unfolded the net, and cast it into the stream. 
The cunning fish tried hard to avoid being caught 
in its meshes ; but, dart which way he would, he met 
the skilfully woven cords, and these drew themselves 
around him, and held him fast. Then Loki pulled the 
net up out of the water, and grasped the helpless fish 
in his right hand. But, lo ! as he held the struggling 
creature high in the air, it was no longer a fish, but the 
cunning dwarf Andvari. 

“Thou King of the Elves,” cried Loki, “thy cun- 
ning has not saved thee. Tell me, on thy life, where 
thy hidden treasures lie ! ” 


46 


The Story of Siegfried. 


The wise dwarf knew who it was that thus held him 
as in a vise; and he answered frankly, for it was his only 
hope of escape, “Turn over the stone upon which you 
stand. Beneath it you will find the treasure you seek.” 

Then Loki put his shoulder to the rock, and pushed 
with all his might. But it seemed as firm as the moun- 
tain, and would not be moved. 

“Help us, thou cunning dwarf,” he cried, — “help 
us, and thou shalt have thy life ! ” 

The dwarf put his shoulder to the rock, and it turned 
over as if by magic, and underneath was disclosed a 
wondrous chamber, whose walls shone brighter than the 
sun, and on whose floor lay treasures of gold and glit- 
tering gem-stones such as no man had ever seen. And 
Loki, in great haste, seized upon the hoard, and placed 
it in the magic net which he had borrowed from the 
Ocean-queen. Then he came out of the chamber ; and 
Andvari again put his shoulder to the rock which lay at 
the entrance, and it swung back noiselessly to its place. 

“ What is that upon thy finger ? ” suddenly cried Loki. 
“ Wouldst keep back a part of the treasure ? Give me 
the ring thou hast ’! ” 

But the dwarf shook his head, and made answer, “ I 
have given thee all the riches that the elves of the 
mountain have gathered since the world began. This 
ring I cannot give thee, for without its help we shall 
never be able to gather more treasures together.” 

And Loki grew angry at these words of the dwarf ; 
and he seized the ring, and tore it by force from And- 


The Curse of Gold. 


47 


vari’s fingers. It was a wondrous little piece of mechan- 
ism shaped like a serpent, coiled, with its tail in its 
mouth ; and its scaly sides glittered with many a tiny 
diamond, and its ruby eyes shone with an evil light. 
When the dwarf knew that Loki really meant to rob 
him of the ring, he cursed it and all who should ever 
possess it,*saying, — 

“ May the ill-gotten treasure that you have seized to- 
night be your bane, and the bane of all to whom it may 
come, whether by fair means or by foul ! And the ring 
which you have torn from my hand, may it entail upon 
the one who wears it sorrow and untold ills, the loss of 
friends, and a violent death ! The Norns have spoken, 
and thus it must be.” 

Loki was pleased with these words, and with the 
dark curses which the dwarf pronounced upon the 
gold ; for he loved wrong-doing for wrong-doing’s sake, 
and he knew that no curses could ever make his own 
life more cheerless than it always had been. So he 
thanked Andvari for his curses and his treasures ; and, 
throwing the magic net upon his shoulder, he sprang 
again into the air, and was carried swiftly back to 
H un aland ; and, just before the dawn appeared in the 
east, he alighted at the door of the farmhouse where 
Odin and Hoenir still lay bound with thongs, and 
guarded by Fafnir and Regin. 

Then the farmer, Hreidmar, brought the otter’s skin, 
and spread it upon the ground ; and, lo ! it grew, and 
spread out on all sides, until it covered an acre of 


48 


The Story of Siegfried . 


ground. And he cried out, “Fulfil now your promise ! 
Cover every hair of this hide with gold or with pre- 
cious stones. If you fail to do this, then your lives, by 
your own agreement, are forfeited, and we shall do with 
you as we list.” 

Odin took the magic net from Loki’s shoulder ; and, 
opening it, he poured the treasures of the mountain- 
elves upon the otter-skin. And Loki and Hoenir spread 
the yellow pieces carefully and evenly over every part 
of the furry hide. But, after every piece had been laid 
in its place, Hreidmar saw near the otter’s mouth a 
single hair uncovered ; and he declared, that unless this 
hair, too, were covered, the bargain would be unfulfilled, 
and the treasures and lives of his prisoners would be 
forfeited. And the Asas looked at each other in dis- 
may ; for not another piece of gold, and not another 
precious stone, could they find in the net, although they* 
searched with the greatest care. At last Odin took 
from his bosom the ring which Loki had stolen from 
the dwarf ; for he had been so highly pleased with its 
form and workmanship, that he had hidden it, hoping 
that it would not be needed to complete the payment 
of the ransom. And they laid the ring upon the un- 
covered hair. And now no portion of the otter’s skin 
could be seen. And Fafnir and Regin, the ransom 
being paid, loosed the shackles of Odin and Hoenir, 
and bade the three huntsmen go on their way. 

Odin and Hoenir at once shook off their human 
disguises, and, taking their own forms again, hastened 


The Curse of Gold. 


49 


with all speed back to Asgard. But Loki tarried a 
little while, and said to Hreidmar and his sons, — 

“ By your greediness and falsehood you have won for 
yourselves the Curse of the Earth, which lies before 
you. It shall be your bane. It shall be the bane of 
every one who holds it. It shall kindle strife between 
father and son, between brother and brother. It shall 
make you mean, selfish, beastly. It shall transform 
you into monsters. The noblest king among men-folk 
shall feel its curse. Such is gold, and such it shall 
ever be to its worshippers. And the ring which you 
have gotten shall impart to its possessor its own na- 
ture. Grasping, snaky, cold, unfeeling, shall he live ; 
and death through treachery shall be his doom.” 

Then he turned away, delighted that he had thus left 
the curse of Andvari with Hreidmar and his sons, and 
hastened northward toward the sea ; for he wished to 
redeem the promise that he had made to the Ocean- 
queen, to bring back her magic net, and to decoy the 
richly laden ship into her clutches. 

No sooner were the strange huntsmen well out of 
sight than Fafnir and Regin began to ask their father 
to divide the glittering hoard with them. 

“By our strength and through our advice,” said they, 
“this great store has come into your hands. Let us 
place it in three equal heaps, and then let each take his 
share and go his way.” 

At this the farmer waxed very angry ; and he loudly 
declared that he would keep all the treasure for himself, 


50 


The Story of Siegfried. 


and that his sons should not have any portion of it 
whatever. So Fafnir and Regin, nursing their disap- 
pointment, went to the fields to watch their sheep ; but 
their father sat down to guard his new-gotten treasure. 
And he took in his hand the glittering serpent-ring, 
and gazed into its cold ruby eyes : and, as he gazed, all 
his thoughts were fixed upon his gold ; and there was 
no room in his heart for love toward his fellows, nor for 
deeds of kindness, nor for the worship of the All-Father. 
And behold, as he continued to look at the snaky ring, 
a dreadful change came over him. The warm red 
blood, which until that time had leaped through his 
veins, and given him life and strength and human feel- 
ings, became purple and cold and sluggish ; and selfish- 
ness, like serpent-poison, took hold of his heart. Then, 
as he kept on gazing at the hoard which lay before him, 
he began to lose his human shape ; his body lengthened 
into many scaly folds, and he coiled himself around his 
loved treasures, — the very likeness of the ring upon 
which he had looked so long. 

When the day drew near its close, Fafnir came back 
from the fields with his herd of sheep, and thought to 
find his father guarding the treasure, as he had left him 
in the morning; but instead he saw a glittering 
snake, fast asleep, encircling the hoard like a huge 
scaly ring of gold. His first thought was that the 
monster had devoured his father ; and, hastily drawing 
his sword, with one blow he severed the serpent’s head 
from its body. And, while yet the creature writhed in 


The Curse of Gold. 


5i 


the death-agony, he gathered up the hoard, and fled 
with it beyond the hills of Hunaland, until on the 
seventh day he came to a barren heath far from the 
homes of men. There he placed the treasures in one 
glittering heap ; and he clothed himself in a wondrous 
mail-coat of gold that was found among them, and he 
put on the Helmet of Dread, which had once been the 
terror of the mid-world, and the like of which no man 
had ever seen ; and then he gazed with greedy eyes 
upon the fateful ring, until he, too, was changed into a 
cold and slimy reptile, — a monster dragon. And he 
coiled himself about the hoard ; and, with his restless 
eyes forever open, he gloated day after day upon his 
loved gold, and watched with ceaseless care that no one 
should come near to. despoil him of it. This was ages 
and ages ago ; and still he wallows among his treasures 
on the Glittering Heath, and guards as of yore the 
garnered wealth of Andvari. 1 

When I, Regin, the younger brother, came back in 
the late evening to my father’s dwelling, I saw that the 
treasure had been carried away ; and, when I beheld 
the dead serpent lying in its place, I knew that a part of 
Andvari’s curse had been fulfilled. And a strange fear 
came over me ; and I left every thing behind me, and 
fled from that dwelling, never more to return. Then I 
came to the land of the VoJsungs, where your father’s 
fathers dwelt, — the noblest king-folk that the world 
has ever seen. But a longing for the gold and the 

1 See Note 10 at end of this volume. 


52 


The Story of Siegfried. 


treasure, a hungry yearning that would never be 
satisfied, filled my soul. Then for a time I sought to 
forget this craving. I spent my days in the getting of 
knowledge and in teaching men-folk the ancient lore of 
my kin, the Dwarfs. I taught them how to plant and 
to sow, and to reap the yellow grain. I showed them 
where the precious metals of the earth lie hidden, and 
how to smelt iron from its ores, — how to shape the 
ploughshare and the spade, the spear and the battle- 
axe. I taught them how to tame the wild horses of 
the meadows, and how to train the yoke-beasts to the 
plough ; how to build lordly dwellings and mighty 
strongholds, and how to saii in ships across old ^Egir’s 
watery kingdom. But they gave me no thanks for 
what I had done ; and as the years went by they 
forgot who had been their teacher, and they said that it 
was Frey who had given them this knowledge and skill. 
And I taught the young maidens how to spin and 
weave, and to handle the needle deftly, — to make rich 
garments, and to work in tapestry and embroidery. 
But they, too, forgot me, and said that it was Freyja 
who had taught them. Then I showed men how to 
read the mystic runes aright, and how to make the 
sweet beverage of poetry, that charms all hearts, and 
enlightens the world. But they say now that they had 
these gifts from Odin. I taught them how to 'fashion 
the tales of old into rich melodious songs, and with 
music and sweet-mouthed eloquence to move the minds 
of their fellow-men. But they say that Bragi taught 


The Curse of Gold. 


53 


them this ; and they remember me only as Regin, the 
elfin schoolmaster, or at best as Mimer, the master 
of smiths. At length my heart grew bitter because 
of the neglect and ingratitude of men ; and the old 
longing for Andvari’s hoard came back to me, and I 
forgot much of my cunning and lore. But I lived on 
and on, and generations of short-lived men arose 
and passed, and still the hoard was not mine ; for I 
was weak, and no man was strong enough to help 
me. 

Then I sought wisdom of the Norns, the weird women 
who weave the woof of every creature’s fate. 1 

“How long,” asked I, “must I hope and wait in 
weary expectation of that day when the wealth of the 
world and the garnered wisdom of the ages shall be 
mine ? ” 

And the witches answered, “When a prince of the 
Volsung race shall come who shall excel thee in the 
smithying craft, and to whom the All-Father shall give 
the Shining Hope as a helper, then the days of thy 
weary watching shall cease.” 

“How long,” asked I, “shall I live to enjoy this 
wealth and this wisdom, and to walk as a god among 
men ? Shall I be long-lived as the Asa-folk, and dwell 
on the earth until the last Twilight comes ? ” 

“It is written,” answered Skuld, “that a beardless 
youth shall see thy death. But go thou now, and bide 
thy time.” 

1 See Notes 6 and 7 at the end of this volume. 


54 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Here Regin ended his story, and both he and Sieg- 
fried sat for a long time silent and thoughtful. 

“I know what you wish,” said Siegfried at last. 
“You think that I am the prince of whom the weird 
sisters spoke ; and you would have me slay the dragon 
Fafnir, and win for you the hoard of Andvari.” 

“It is even so,” answered Regin. 

“ But the hoard is accursed,” said the lad. 

“ Let the curse be upon me,” was the answer. “ Is 
not the wisdom of the ages mine ? And think you that 
I cannot escape the curse ? Is there aught that can 
prevail against him who has all knowledge and the 
wealth of the world at his call ? ” 

“Nothing but the word of the Norns and the will of 
the All-Father,” answered Siegfried. 

“But will you help me?” asked Regin, almost wild 
with earnestness. “Will you help me to win that 
which is rightfully mine, and to rid the world of a hor- 
rible evil ? ” 

“Why is the hoard of Andvari more thine than 
Fafnir’s ? ” 

“He is a monster, and he keeps the treasure but to 
gloat upon its glittering richness. I will use it to make 
myself a name upon the earth. I will not hoard it 
away. But I am weak, and he is strong and terrible. 
Will you help me ? ” 

“To-morrow,” said Siegfried, “be ready to go with 
me to the Glittering Heath. The treasure shall be 
thine, and also the curse.” 

“And also the curse,” echoed Regin. 


Fafnir, the Dragon . 


55 


ADVENTURE IV. 


FAFNIR, THE DRAGON. 

Regin took up his harp, and his fingers smote the 
strings ; and the music which came forth sounded like 
the wail of the winter’s wind through the dead tree- 
tops of the forest. And the song which he sang was 
full of grief and wild hopeless yearning for the things 
which were not to be. When he had ceased, Siegfried 
said, — 

“ That was indeed a sorrowful song for one to sing 
who sees his hopes so nearly realized. Why are you so 
sad ? Is it because you fear the curse which you have 
taken upon yourself ? or is it because you know not 
what you will do with so vast a treasure, and its posses- 
sion begins already to trouble you ? ” 

“ Oh, many are the things I will do with that treas- 
ure!” answered Regin; and his eyes flashed wildly, 
and his face grew red and pale. “ I will turn winter 
into summer ; I will make the desert -places glad ; I will 
bring back the golden age ; I will make myself a god : 
for mine shall be the wisdom and the gathered wealth 
of the world. And yet I fear” — 


56 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ What do you fear ? ” 

“The ring, the ring — it is accursed! The Norns, 
too, have spoken, and my doom is known. I cannot 
escape it.” 

“The Norns have woven the woof of every man’s 
life,*’ answered Siegfried. “To-morrow we fare to the 
Glittering Heath, and the end shall be as the Norns 
have spoken.” 

And so, early the next morning, Siegfried mounted 
Greyfell, and rode out towards the desert-land that lay 
beyond the forest and the barren mountain-range ; and 
Regin, his eyes flashing with desire, and his feet never 
tiring, trudged by his side. For seven days they 
wended their way through the thick greenwood, sleeping 
at night on the bare ground beneath the trees, while the 
wolves and other wild beasts of the forest filled the air 
with their hideous howlings. But no evil creature dared 
come near them, for fear of the shining beams of light 
which fell from Greyfell’s gleaming mane. On the eighth 
day they came to the open country and to the hills, 
where the land was covered with black bowlders and 
broken by yawning chasms. And no living thing was 
seen there, not even an insect, nor a blade of grass ; 
and the silence of the grave was over all. And the 
earth was dry and parched, and the sun hung above 
them like a painted shield in a blue-black sky, and there 
was neither shade nor water anywhere. But .Siegfried 
rode onwards in the way which Regin pointed out, and 
faltered not, although he grew faint with thirst and 


Fafnir , the Dragon. 


57 


with the overpowering heat. Towards the evening 
of the next day they came to a dark mountain-wall 
which stretched far out on either hand, and rose high 
above them, so steep that it seemed to close up the way, 
and to forbid them going farther. 

“This is the wall ! ” cried Regin. “Beyond this 
mountain is the Glittering Heath, and the goal of all 
my hopes.” 

And the little old man ran forwards, and scaled the 
rough side of the mountain, and reached its summit, 
while Siegfried and Greyfell were yet toiling among the 
rocks at its foot. Slowly and painfully they climbed 
the steep ascent, sometimes following a narrow path 
which wound along the edge of a precipice, some- 
times leaping from rock to rock, or over some deep 
gorge, and sometimes picking their way among the 
crags and cliffs. The sun at last went down, and 
one by one the stars came out ; and the moon 
was rising, round and red, when Siegfried stood by 
Regin’s side, and gazed from the mountain-top down 
upon the Glittering Heath which lay beyond. And a 
strange, weird scene it was that met his sight. At the 
foot of the mountain was a river, white and cold and 
still ; and beyond it was a smooth and barren plain, 
lying silent and lonely in the pale moonlight. But in 
the distance was seen a circle of flickering flames, ever 
changing, — now growing brighter, now fading away, 
and now shining with a dull, cold light, like the glim- 
mer of the glow-worm or the fox-fire. And as Siegfried 


58 


The Story of Siegfried. 


gazed upon the scene, he saw the dim outline of some 
hideous monster moving hither and thither, and seem- 
ing all the more terriGle in the uncertain light. 

“ It is he ! ” whispered Regin, and his lips were ashy 
pale, and his knees trembled beneath him. “ It is 
Fafnir, and he wears the Helmet of Terror! Shall we 
not go back to the smithy by the great forest, and to 
the life of ease and safety that may be ours there ? Or 
will you rather dare to go forwards, and meet the 
Terror in its abode ? ” 

“ None but cowards give up an undertaking once 
begun,” answered Siegfried. “Go back to Rhineland 
yourself, if you are afraid ; but you must go alone. 
You have brought me thus far to meet the dragon of 
the heath, to win the hoard of the swarthy elves, and 
to rid the world of a terrible evil. Before the setting 
of another sun, the deed which you have urged me to 
do will be done.” 

Then he dashed down the eastern slope of the moun- 
tain, leaving Greyfell and the trembling Regin behind 
him. Soon he stood on the banks of the white river, 
which lay between the mountain and the heath ; but 
the stream was deep and sluggish, and the channel was 
very wide. He paused a moment, wondering how he 
should cross ; and the air seemed heavy with deadly 
vapors, and the water was thick and cold. While he' 
thus stood in thought, a boat came silently out of the 
mists, and drew near ; and the boatman stood up and 
called to him, and said, — 


Fafnir , the Dragon . 


59 


“ What man are you who dares come into this land 
of loneliness and fear ? ” 

“I am Siegfried,” answered the lad; “and I have 
come to slay Fafnir, the Terror.” 

“ Sit in my boat,” said the boatman, “ and I will 
carry you across the river.” 

And Siegfried sat by the boatman’s side ; and with- 
out the use of an oar, and without a breath of air to 
drive it forwards, the little vessel turned, and moved 
silently towards the farther shore. 

“ In what way will you fight the dragon ? ” asked the 
boatman. 

“With my trusty sword Balmung I shall slay him,” 
answered Siegfried. 

“But he wears the Helmet of Terror, and he breathes 
deathly poisons, and his eyes dart forth lightning, and 
no man can withstand his strength,” said the boatman. 

“I will find some way by which to overcome him.” 

“Then be wise, and listen to me,” said the boatman. 
“As you go up from the river you will find a road, worn 
deep and smooth, starting from the water’s edge, and 
winding over the moor. It is the trail of Fafnir, adown 
which he comes at dawn of every day to slake his thirst 
at the river. Do you dig a pit in this roadway, — a 
pit narrow and deep, — and hide yourself within it. In 
the morning, when Fafnir passes over it, let him feel 
the edge of Balmung.” 

As the man ceased speaking, the boat touched the 
shore, and Siegfried leaped out. He looked back to 


/ 


6o 


The Story of Siegfried . 


thank his unknown friend, but neither boat nor boat- 
man was to be seen. Only a thin white mist rose 
slowly from the cold surface of the stream, and floated 
upwards and away towards the mountain-tops. Then 
the lad remembered that the strange boatman had worn 
a blue hood bespangled with golden stars, and that a 
gray kirtle was thrown over his shoulders, and that his 
one eye glistened and sparkled with a light that was 
more than human. And he knew that he had again 
talked with Odin. Then, with a braver heart than be- 
fore, he went forwards, along the river-bank, until he 
came to Fafnir’s trail, — a deep, wide furrow in the 
earth, beginning at the river’s bank, and winding far 
away over the heath, until it was lost to sight in the 
darkness. The bottom of the trail was soft and slimy, 
and its sides had been worn smooth by Fafnir’s frequent 
travel through it. • 

In this road, at a point not far from the river, Sieg- 
fried, with his trusty sword Balmung, scooped out a 
deep and narrow pit, as Odin had directed. And 
when the gray dawn began to appear in the east he hid 
himself within this trench, and waited for the coming 
of the monster. He had not long to wait ; for no 
sooner had the sky begun to redden in the light of the 
coming sun than the dragon was heard bestirring him- 
self. Siegfried peeped warily from his hiding-place, 
and saw him coming far down the road, hurrying with 
all speed, that he might quench his thirst at the slug- 
gish river, and hasten back to his gold ; and the sound 


Fafnir , the Dragon . 


61 


which he made was like the trampling of many feet and 
the jingling of many chains. With bloodshot eyes, and 
gaping mouth, and flaming nostrils, the hideous creature 
came rushing onwards. His sharp, curved claws dug 
deep into the soft earth ; and his bat-like wings, half 
trailing on the ground, half flapping in the air, made a 
sound like that which is heard when Thor rides in his 
goat-drawn chariot over the dark thunder-clouds. It 
was a terrible moment for Siegfried, but still he was 
not afraid. He crouched low down in his hiding-place, 
and the bare blade of the trusty Balmung glittered in 
the morning light. On came the hastening feet and 
the flapping wings : the red gleam from the monster’s 
flaming nostrils lighted up the trench where Siegfried 
lay. He heard a roaring and a rushing like the sound 
of a whirlwind in the forest ; then a black, inky mass 
rolled above him, and all was dark. Now was Sieg- 
fried’s opportunity. The bright edge of Balmung 
gleamed in the darkness one moment, and then it 
smote the heart of Fafnir as he passed. Some men 
say that Odin sat in the pit with Siegfried, and 
strengthened his arm and directed his sword, or else 
he could not thus have slain the Terror. But, be this 
as it may, the victory was soon won. The monster 
stopped short, while but half of his long body had 
glided over the pit ; for sudden death had overtaken 
him. His horrid head fell lifeless, upon the ground; 
his cold wings flapped once, and then lay, quivering 
and helpless, spread out on either side; and streams 


62 


The Story of Siegfried. 


of thick black blood flowed from his heart, through 
the wound beneath, and filled the trench in which Sieg- 
fried was hidden, and ran like a mountain-torrent down 
the road towards the river. Siegfried was covered from 
head to foot with the slimy liquid, and, had he not 
quickly leaped from his hiding-place, he would have 
been drowned in the swift-rushing stream . 1 

The bright sun rose in the east, and gilded the 
mountain-tops, and fell upon the still waters of the river, 
and lighted up the treeless plains around. The south 
wind played gently against Siegfried’s cheeks and 
iji his long hair, as he stood gazing on his fallen 
foe. And the sound of singing birds, and rippling 
waters, and gay insects, — such as had not broken 
the silence of the Glittering Heath for ages, — came 
to his ears. The Terror was dead, and Nature had 
awakened from her sleep of dread. And as the lad 
leaned upon his sword, and thought of the deed he 
had done, behold ! the shining Greyfell, with the beam- 
ing, hopeful mane, having crossed the now bright river, 
stood by his side. And Regin, his face grown won- 
drous cold, came trudging over the meadows ; and 
his heart was full of guile. Then the mountain vultures 
came wheeling downwards to look upon the dead dragon ; 
and with them were two ravens, black as midnight. 
And when Siegfried saw these ravens he knew them to 
be Odin’s birds, — Hugin, thought, and Munin, memory. 
And they alighted on the ground near by ; and the lad 

1 See Note 1 1 at the end of this volume. 


Fafnir , the Dragon. 


63 


listened to hear what they would say. Then Hugin 
flapped his wings, and said, — 

“The deed is done. Why tarries the hero ? ” 

And Munin said, — 

“The world is wide. Fame waits for the hero.” 

And Hugin answered, — 

“What if he win the Hoard of the Elves ? That is 
not honor. Let him seek fame by nobler deeds.” 

Then Munin flew past his ear, and whispered, — 

“Beware of Regin, the master! His heart is 
poisoned. He would be thy bane.” 

And the two birds flew away to carry the news to 
Odin in the happy halls of Gladsheim. 

When Regin drew near to look upon the dragon, 
Siegfried kindly accosted him : but he seemed not to 
hear ; and a snaky glitter lurked in his eyes, and his 
mouth was set and dry, and he seemed as one walking 
in a dream. 

“It is mine now,” he murmured: “it is all mine, 
now, — the Hoard of the swarthy elf-folk, the garnered 
wisdom of ages. The strength of the world is mine. 
I will keep, I will save, I will heap up ; and none shall 
have part or parcel of the treasure which is mine 
alone.” 

Then his eyes fell upon Siegfried ; and his cheeks 
grew dark with wrath, and he cried out, — 

“ Why are you here in my way ? I am the lord of 
the Glittering Heath : I am the master of the Hoard. 
I am the master, and you are my thrall.” 


64 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Siegfried wondered at the change which had taken 
place in his old jnaster ; but he only smiled at his 
strange words, and made no answer. 

“You have slain my brother ! ” Regin cried ; and his 
face grew fearfully black, and his mouth foamed with 
rage. 

“It was my deed and yours,” calmly answered Sieg- 
fried. “I have rid the world of a Terror : I have righted 
a grievous wrong.” 

“You have slain my brother,” said Regin; “and a 
murderer’s ransom you shall pay ! ” 

“Take the Hoard for your ransom, and let us each 
wend his way,” said the lad. 

“The Hoard is mine by rights,” answered Regin still 
more wrathfully. “ I am the master, and you are my 
thrall. Why stand you in my way ? ” 

Then, blinded with madness, he rushed at Siegfried 
as if to strike him down ; but his foot slipped in a 
puddle of gore, and he pitched headlong against the 
sharp edge of Balmung. So sudden was this move- 
ment, and so unlooked for, that the sword was twitched 
out of Siegfried’s hand, and fell with a dull splash into 
the blood-filled pit before him ; while Regin, slain by 
his own rashness, sank dead upon the ground. Full of 
horror, Siegfried turned away, and mounted Greyfell. 1 

“This-is a place of blood,” said he, “and the way to 
glory leads not through it. Let the Hoard still lie on 
the Glittering Heath : I will go my way from hence ; 
and the world shall know me. for better deeds than this.”** 


1 See Note 12 at the end of this volume. 


Fafnir , the Dragon. 


65 


And he turned his back on the fearful scene, and rode 
away ; and so swiftly did Greyfell carry him over the 
desert land and the mountain waste, that, when night 
came, they stood on the shore of the great North Sea, 
and the white waves broke at their feet. And the 
lad sat for a long time silent upon the warm white sand 
of the beach, and Greyfell waited at his side. And he 
watched the stars as they came out one by one, and the 
moon, as it rose round and pale, and moved like a queen 
across the sky. And the night wore away, and the 
stars grew pale, and the moon sank to rest in the wil- 
derness of waters. And at day-dawn Siegfried looked 
towards the west, and midway between sky and sea he 
thought he saw dark mountain-tops hanging above a 
land of mists that seemed to float upon the edge of the 
sea. 

While he looked, a white ship, with sails all set, came 
speeding over the waters towards him. It came nearer 
and nearer, and the sailors rested upon their oars as it 
glided into the quiet harbor. A minstrel, with long 
white beard floating in the wind, sat at the prow ; and 
the sweet music from his harp was wafted like incense 
to the shore. The vessel touched the sands : its white 
sails were reefed as if by magic, and the crew leaped 
out upon the beach. 

“ Hail, Siegfried the Golden ! ” cried the harper. 
“ Whither do you fare this summer day ? ” 

“I have come from a land of horror and dread,” 
answered the lad ; “ and I would fain fare to a brighter.” 


The Story of Siegfried . 


66 


“Then go with me to awaken the earth from its slum- 
ber, and to robe the fields in their garbs of beauty,” 
said the harper. And he touched the strings of his 
harp, and strains of the softest music arose in the still 
morning air. And Siegfried stood entranced, for never 
before had he heard such music. 

f‘-Tell me who you are ! ” he cried, when the sounds 
died away. “Tell me who you are, and I will go to the 
ends of the earth with you.” 

“ I am Bragi,” answered the harper, smiling. And 
Siegfried noticed then that the ship was laden with 
flowers of every hue, and that thousands of singing 
birds circled around and above it, filling the air with 
• the sound of their glad twitterings. 

Now, Bragi was the sweetest musician in all the 
world. It was said by some that his home was with 
the song-birds, and that he had learned his skill from 
them. But this was only part of the truth : for wher- 
ever there was loveliness or beauty, or things noble and 
pure, there was Bragi ; and his wondrous power in 
music and^song was but the outward sign of a blame- 
less soul. When he touched the strings of his golden 
harp, all Nature was charmed with the sweet harmony : 
the savage beasts of the wood crept near to listen ; the 
birds paused in their flight ; the waves of the sea were 
becalmed, and the winds were hushed ; the leaping 
waterfall was still, and the rushing torrent tarried in 
its bed ; the elves forgot their hidden treasures, and 
joined in silent dance around him; and the strom-karls 


Fafnir , the Dragon . 


67 


and the musicians of the wood vainly tried to imitate 
him. And he was as fair of speech as he was skilful in 
song. His words were so persuasive that he had been 
known to call the fishes from the sea, to move great 
lifeless rocks, and, what is harder, the hearts of kings. 
He understood the voice of the birds, and the whisper- 
ing of the breeze, the murmur of the waves, and the 
roar of the waterfalls. He knew the length and breadth 
of the earth, and the secrets of the sea, and the lan- 
guage of the stars. And every day he talked with 
Odin the All-Father, and with the wise and good in the 
sunlit halls of Gladsheim. And once every year fie 
went to the North-lands, and woke the earth from its 
long winter’s sleep, and scattered music and smiles 
and beauty everywhere . 1 

Right gladly did Siegfried agree to sail with Bragi 
over the sea ; for he wot that the bright Asa-god 
would be a very different guide from the cunning, evil- 
eyed Regin. So he went on board with Bragi, and the 
gleaming Greyfell followed them, and the sailors sat at 
their oars. And Bragi stood in the prow, and touched 
the strings of his harp. And, as the music arose, the 
white sails leaped up the masts, and a warm south 
breeze began to blow ; and the little vessel, wafted by 
sweet sounds and the incense of spring, sped gladly 
away over the sea. 

1 See Note 13 at the end of this volume. 


68 


The Story of Siegfried . 


ADVENTURE V. 


IN iEGIR’S KINGDOM. 

t 

The vessel in which Siegfried sailed was soon far 
out at sea ; for the balmy south wind, and the songs 
of the birds, and the music from Bragi’s harp, all urged 
it cheerily on. And Siegfried sat at the helm, and 
guided it in its course. By and by they lost all sight 
of land, and the sailors wist not where they were but 
they knew that Bragi, the Wise, would bring them 
safely into some haven whenever it should so please 
him, and they felt no fear. And the fishes leaped up 
out of the water as the white ship sped by on woven 
wings ; and the monsters of the deep paused, and listened 
to the sweet music which floated down from above. 
After a time the vessel began to meet great ice-moun- 
tains in the sea, — mountains which the Reifriesen, and 
old Hoder, the King of the winter months, had sent 
drifting' down from the frozen land of the north. But 
these melted at the sound of Bragi’s music and at 
the sight of Siegfried’s radiant armor. And the cold 
breath of the Frost-giants, whicfe had driven them in 
their course, turned, and became the ally of the south 
wind. 


In A Egir's Kingdom . 


69 


At length they came in sight of a dark shore, which, 
stretched on either hand, north and south, as far as the 
eye could reach ; and as they drew nearer they saw a 
line of huge mountains, rising, as it were, out of the 
water, and stretching their gray heads far above the 
clouds. And the overhanging cliffs seemed to look 
down, half in anger, half in pity, upon the little white- 
winged vessel which had dared thus to sail through 
these unknown waters. But the surface of the sea 
was smooth as glass; and the gentle breeze drove the 
ship slowly forwards through the calm water, and along 
the rock-bound coast, and within the dark shadows of 
the mountain-peaks. Long ago the Frost-giants had 
piled great heaps of snow upon these peaks, and built 
huge fortresses of ice between, and sought, indeed, to 
clasp in their cold embrace the whole of the Norwegian 
land. But the breezes of the South-land that came 
with Bragi’s ship now played among the rocky steeps, 
and swept over the frozen slopes above, and melted the 
snow and ice ; and thousands of rivulets of half-frozen 
water ran down the mountain-sides, and tumbled into 
rocky gorges, or plunged into the sea. And the grass 
began to grow on the sunny slopes, and the flowers 
peeped up through the half-melted snow, and the music 
of spring was heard on every side. Now and then the 
little vessel passed by deep, dark inlets enclosed be- 
tween high mountain-walls, and reaching many leagues 
far into land. But the sailors steered clear of these 
shadowy fjords ; for they said that Ran, the dread 


70 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Ocean-queen, lived there, and spread her nets in the 
deep green waters to entangle unwary seafaring men. 
And the sound of Bragi’s harp awakened all sleeping 
things ; and it was carried from rock to rock, and from 
mountain-height to valley, and was borne on the breeze 
far up the fjords, and all over the land. 

One day, as they were sailing through these quiet 
waters, beneath the overhanging cliffs, Bragi tuned his 
harp, and sang a song of sea. And then he told Sieg- 
fried a story of ^Egir and his gold-lit hall. 

Old JEg ir was the Ocean-king. At most times he 
was rude and rough, and his manners were uncouth 
and boisterous. But when Balder, the Shining One, 
smiled kindly upon him from above, or when Bragi 
played his harp by the seashore, or sailed his ship on 
the waters, the heart of the bluff old king was touched 
with a kindly feeling, and he tried hard to curb his 
ungentle passions, and to cease his blustering ways. 
He was one of the old race of giants ; and men believe 
that he would have been a very good and quiet giant, 
had it not been for the evil ways of his wife, the 
crafty Queen Ran. For, however kind at heart the 
king might be, his good intentions were almost always 
thwarted by the queen. Ran could never be trusted ; 
and no one, unless it were Loki, the Mischief-maker, 
could ever say any thing in her praise. She was 
always lurking among hidden rocks, or in the deep sea, 
or along the shores of silent fjords, and reaching out 
with her long lean fingers, seeking to clutch in her 


7 1 


In Aigir's Kingdom. 


greedy grasp whatever prey might unwarily come near 
her. And many richly-laden vessels, and many brave 
seamen and daring warriors, had she dragged down to 
her blue-hung chamber in old ALgir’s hall. 

And this is the story that Bragi told of 

THE FEAST IN .EGIR’s HALL. 

It happened long ago, when the good folk at Glad- 
sheim were wont to visit the mid-world oftener than 
now. On a day in early autumn Queen Ran, with her 
older daughters, — Raging Sea, Breaker, Billow, Surge, 
and Surf, — went out to search for plunder. But old 
JEgir staid at home, and with him his younger daugh- 
ters, — fair Purple-hair, gentle Diver, dancing Ripple, 
and smiling Sky-clear. And as they played around 
him, and kissed his old storm-beaten cheeks, the heart 
of the king was softened into gentleness, and he began 
to think kindly of the green earth which bordered his 
kingdom, and of the brave men who lived there ; but 
most of all did he think of the great and good Asa-folk, 
who dwell in Asgard, and overlook the affairs of the 
world. Then he called his servants, Funfeng and 
Elder, and bade them prepare a feast in his gold-lit 
hall. And he sent fleet messengers to invite the Asa- 
folk to come and partake of the good cheer. And his 
four young daughters played upon the beach, and 
smiled and danced in the beaming sunlight. And the 
hearts of many seafaring men were gladdened that 
day, as they spread their sails to the wind ; for they 


72 


The Story of Siegfried. 


saw before them a pleasant voyage, and the happy 
issue of many an undertaking. 

Long before the day had begun to wane, the Asa- 
folk arrived in a body at Aigir’s hall ; for they were 
glad to answer the bidding of the Ocean-king. Odin 
came, riding Sleipner, his eight-footed steed ; Thor 
rode in his iron chariot drawn by goats ; Frey came 
with Gullinburste, his golden-bristled boar. There, too, 
was the war-like Tyr, and blind Hoder, and the silent 
Vidar, and the sage Forsete, and the hearkening Heim- 
dal, and Niord, the Ruler of the Winds, and Bragi, 
with his harp ; and lastly came many elves, the thralls 
of the Asa-folk, and Loki, the cunning Mischief-maker. 
In his rude but hearty way old JEgir welcomed them ; 
and they went down into his amber hall, and rested 
themselves upon the sea-green couches that had been 
spread for them. And a thousand fair mermaids stood 
around them, and breathed sweet melodies through 
sea-shells of rainbow hue, while the gentle white-veiled 
daughters of the Ocean-king danced to the bewitching 
music. 

Hours passed by, and the sun began to slope towards 
the west, and the waiting guests grew hungry and ill 
at ease ; and then they began to wonder why the feast 
was so long in getting ready. At last the host himself 
became impatient ; and he sent out in haste for his ser- 
vants, Funfeng and Elder. Trembling with fear, they 
came and stood before him. 

“Master,” said they, “we know that you are angry 


In Aigir ’s Kingdom. 


73 


because the feast is not yet made ready ; but we beg 
that your anger may not fall upon us. The truth is, that 
some thief has stolen your brewing-kettle, and we have 
no ale for your guests.” 

Then old ^Egir’s brow grew dark, and his breath 
came quick and fast ; and, had not Niord held the winds 
tightly clutched in his hand, there would have been a 
great uproar in the hall. Even as it was, the mermaids 
fled away in great fright, and the white-veiled Waves 
stopped dancing, and a strange silence fell upon all the 
company. 

“ Some enemy has done this ! ” cried yEgir, as soon 
as he could speak. “ Some enemy has taken away my 
brewing-kettle ; and, unless we can And it, I fear our 
feast will be but a dry one.” 

Then Thor said, — 

“ If any one knows where this kettle is, let him speak, 
and I will bring it back ; and I promise you you shall 
not wait long for the feast.” 

But not one in all this company knew aught about the 
missing kettle. At last Tyr stood up and said, — 

“ If we cannot find the same vessel that our host has 
lost, mayhap we may find another as good. I know a 
dogwise giant who lives east of the Rivers Elivagar, and 
who has a strong kettle, fully a mile deep, and large 
enough to brew ale for all the world.” 

“That is the very kettle we want!” cried Thor. 
“Think you that we can get it ? ” 

“ If we are cunning enough, we may,” answered Tyr. 
“But old Hymer will never give it up willingly.” 


74 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“Is it Hymer of whom you speak?” asked Thor. 
“ Then I know him well ; and, willingly or not willingly, 
he must let us have his kettle. For what is a feast 
without the gladsome ale ? ” 

Then Thor and Tyr set out on their journey towards 
the land of Elivagar ; and they travelled many a league 
northwards, across snowy mountains and barren plains, 
until they came to the shores of the frozen sea. And 
there the sun rises and sets but once a year, and even 
in summer the sea is full of ice. On the lonely beach, 
stood Hymer’s dwelling, — a dark and gloomy abode. 
Tyr knocked at the door ; and it was opened by Hymer’s 
wife, a strangely handsome woman, who bade them 
come in. Inside the hall they saw Hymer’s old mother, 
sitting in the chimney-corner, and crooning over the 
smouldering fire. She was a horribly ugly old giantess, 
with nine. hundred heads ; but every head was blind and 
deaf and toothless. Ah, me ! what a wretched old age 
that must have been ! 

“ Is your husband at home ? ” asked Thor, speaking 
to the pretty worfian who had opened the door. 

“ He is not,” was the answer. “ He is catching fish 
in the warm waters of the sheltered bay ; or, mayhap, 
he is tending his cows in the open sea, just around the 
headland.” 

For the great icebergs that float down from the 
frozen sea are called old Hymer’s cows. 

“We have come a very long journey,” said Tyr. 
“ Will you not give two tired strangers food and lodging 
until they shall have rested themselves ? ” * 


In sEgir's Kingdom. 


75 


The woman seemed in nowise loath to do this ; and 
she set before the two Asa-folk a plentiful meal of the 
best that she had in the house. When they had eaten, 
she told them that it would be far safer for them to 
hide themselves under the great kettles in the hall ; 
for, she said, her husband would soon be home, and he 
might not be kind to them. So Thor and Tyr hid 
themselves, and listened for Hymer’s coming. After a 
time, the great hall-door opened, and they heard the 
heavy steps of the giant. 

“ Welcome home ! ” cried the woman, as Hymer shook 
the frost from his hair and beard, and stamped the snow 
from his feet. “ I am so glad that you have come ! for 
there are two strangers in the hall, and they have asked 
for you. One of them I know is Thor, the foe of the 
giants, and the friend of man. The other is the one- 
armed god of war, the brave Tyr. What can be their 
errand at Hymer’s hall ? ” 

“ Where are they?” roared Hymer, stamping so 
furiously, that even his deaf old mother seemed to hear, 
and lifted up her heads. 

“ They are under the kettles,' at the gable-end of the 
hall,” answered the woman. 

Hymer cast a wrathful glance towards the place. 
The post at the end of the hall was shivered in pieces 
by his very look ; the beam that upheld the floor of the 
loft was broken, and all the kettles tumbled down with 
a fearful crash. Thor and Tyr crept out from among 
the rubbish, and stood before old Hymer. The giant 


7 6 


The Story of Siegfried. 


was not well pleased at the sight of such guests come 
thus unbidden to his hall. But he knew that his rude 
strength would count as nothing if matched with their 
skill and weapons : hence he deemed it wise to treat 
the two Asas as his friends, and to meet them with 
cunning and strategy. 

“Welcome to my hall!” he cried. “Fear no hurt 
from Hymer, for he was never known to harm a guest.” 

And Thor and Tyr were given the warmest seats at 
the fireside. And the giant ordered his thralls to kill the 
fatted oxen, and to make ready a great feast in honor of 
his guests. And, while the meal was being got ready, 
he sat by Thor’s side, and asked him many questions 
about what was going on in the great South-land. 
And Thor answered him pleasantly, meeting guile with 
guile. When the feast was in readiness, all sat down 
at the table, which groaned beneath its weight of meat 
and drink ; for Hymer’s thralls had killed three fat 
oxen, and baked them whole for this meal, and they 
had filled three huge bowls with ale from his great 
brewing-kettle. Hymer ate and drank very fast, and 
wished to make his guests fear him, because he could 
eat so much. But Thor was not to be taken aback in 
this way ; for he at once ' ate two of the oxen, and 
quaffed a huge bowl of ale which the giant had set 
aside for himself. The giant saw that he was outdone, 
and he arose from the table, saying, — 

“ Not all my cows would serve to feed two guests so 
hungry as these. We shall be obliged to live on fish 
now.” 


In Aigir's Kingdom. 


77 


He strode out of the hall without another word, and 
began getting his boat ready for a sail. But Thor 
followed him. 

“ It is a fine day for fishing,” said Thor gayly. 
“ How I should like to go out with you ! ” 

“ Such little fellows as you would better stay at 
home,” growled Hymer. 

“ But let me go with you,” persisted Thor. “ I can 
certainly row the boat while you fish.” 

“ I have no need of help from such a stunted pygmy,” 
muttered the giant. “You could not be of the least 
use to me : you would only be in my way. Still, if 
you are bent on doing so, you may go, and you shall 
take all the risks. If I go as far as I do sometimes, 
and stay as long as I often do, you may make up your 
mind never to see the dry land again ; for you will cer- 
tainly catch your death of cold, and be food for the 
fishes — if, indeed, they would deign to eat such a 
scrawny scrap ! ” 

These taunting words made Thor so angry, that he 
grasped his hammer, and was sorely tempted to crush 
the giant’s skull. But he checked himself, and coolly 
said, — 

“ I pray you not to trouble yourself on my account. 
I have set my head on going with you, and go I will. 
Tell me where I can find something that I can use for 
bait, and I will be ready in a trice.” 

“I have no bait for you,” roughly answered Hymer. 
“You must look for it yourself.” 


4 


78 The Story of Siegfried. 

Half a dozen oxen, the very finest and fattest of 
Hymer’s herd, were grazing on the short grass which 
grew on the sunnier scopes of the hillside ; for not all of 
the giant’s cattle had yet taken to the water. When 
Thor saw these great beasts, he ran quickly towards 
them, and seizing the largest one, which Hymer called 
the Heaven-breaker, he twisted off his head as easily as 
he would that of a small fowl, and ran back with it to 
the boat. Hymer looked at him in anger and amaze- 
ment, but said nothing; and the two pushed the boat 
off from the shore. The little vessel sped through the 
water more swiftly than it had ever done before, for 
Thor plied the oars. 

In a moment the long, low beach was out of sight ; 
and Hymer, who had never travelled so fast, began to 
feel frightened. 

“ Stop ! ” he cried. “ Here is the place to fish : I have 
often caught great store of flat-fish here. Let us out 
with our lines ! ” 

“No, no!” answered Thor; -and he kept on plying 
the oars. “We are not yet far enough from shore. 
The best fish are still many leagues out.” 

And the boat skimmed onwards through the waters, 
and the white spray dashed over the prow ; and Hymer, 
now very much frightened, sat still, and looked at his 
strange fellow-fisherman, but said not a word. On and 
on they went ; and the shore behind them first grew 
dim, and then sank out of sight ; and the high moun- 
tain-tops began to fade away in the sky, and then were 


In Aigir' s Kingdom. 


79 


seen no more. And when at last the fishermen were 
so far out at sea 'that nothing was in sight but the 
rolling waters on every side, Thor stopped his rowing. 

“ We have come too far ! ” cried the giant, trembling 
in every limb. “ The great Midgard snake lies here- 
abouts. Let us turn back * ” 

“Not yet,” answered Thor quietly. “We will fish 
here a little while.” 

Without loss of time he took from his pocket a strong 
hook, wonderfully made, to which he fastened a long 
line as strong as ten ships’ cables twisted together ; 
then he carefully baited the hook with the gory head 
of the Heaven-breaker ox, and threw it into the water. 
As the giant had feared, they were now right over the 
head of the great Midgard snake. The huge beast 
looked upward with his sleepy eyes, and saw the tempt- 
ing bait falling slowly through the water ; but ne did 
not see the boat, it was so far above him. Thinking 
of no harm, he opened his leathern -jaws, and greedily 
gulped the morsel down ; but the strong iron hook stuck 
fast in his throat. Maddened by the pain, he began to 
lash his tail against the floor of the sea ; and he twisted 
and writhed until the ocean was covered with foam, and 
the waves ran mountain-high. But Thor pulled hard 
upon the line above, and strove to lift the reptile’s head 
out of the water ; then the snake darted with lightning 
speed away, pulling the boat after him so swiftly, that, 
had not Thor held on to the oar-locks, he would have 
been thrown into the sea. Quickly he tightened his 


8o 


The Story of Siegfried. 


magic girdle of strength around him, and, standing up 
in the boat, he pulled with all his might. The snake 
would not be lifted. But the boat split in two ; and Thor 
slid into the water, and stood upon the bottom of the 
sea. He seized the great snake in his hands, and raised 
his head clean above the water. What a scene of fright- 
ful turmoil was there then ! The earth shook ; the 
mountains belched forth fire ; the lightnings flashed ; 
the caves howled ; and the sky grew black and red. 
Nobody knows what the end would have been, had not 
Hymer reached over, and cut the strong cord. The 
slippery snake glided out of Thor’s hands, and hid him- 
self in the deep sea ; and every thing became quiet again. 

Silently Thor and Hymer sat in the broken boat, and 
rowed swiftly back towards land. Thor felt really 
ashai^d of himself, because he had gained nothing by 
his venture. And the giant was not at alljiappy. 

When they reached the frozen shore and Hymer’s 
cheerless castle again, they found Tyr there, anxiously 
waiting for them. He felt that they were tarrying too 
long in this dreary place ; and he wished to be back 
among his fellows in old .dEgir’s hall. Hymer felt very 
cross and ugly because his boat had been broken ; and, 
when they came into the hall, he said to Thor, — 

“You may think that you are very stout, — you who 
dared attack the Midgard snake, and lifted him out of 
the sea. Yet there are many little things that you 
cannot do. For instance, here is the earthen goblet 
from which I drink my ale. Great men, like myself, 


In KEgir's Kingdom. 


81 


can crush such goblets between their thumbs and 
fingers ; but such puny fellows as you will find that 
they cannot break it by^ any means.” 

“ Let me try ! ” cried Thor. 

He took the great goblet in his hands, and threw it 
with all his strength against a stone post in the middle 
of the hall. The post was shattered into a thousand 
pieces, but the goblet was unharmed. 

“ Ha, ha ! ” laughed the giant. “ Try again ! ” 

Thor did so. This time he threw it against a huge 
granite rock that stood like g. mountain near the sea- 
shore. The rock crumbled in pieces and fell, but the 
goblet was whole as ever. 

“What a very stout fellow you are!” cried Hymer 
in glee. “Go home now, and tell the good Asa-folk 
that you cannot even break a goblet ! ” 

“Let me.try once more,” said Thor, amazed, mot 
disheartened. 

“ Throw it against Hymer’s forehead,” whispered some 
one over his shoulder. “It is. harder than any rock.” 

Thor looked, and saw that it was the giant’s hand- 
some wife who had given him this kind advice. He 
took the goblet, and hurled it quickly, straight at old 
Hymer’s head. The giant had no time to dodge. The 
vessel struck him squarely between the eyes, and was 
shattered into ten thousand little pieces. But the 
giant’s forehead was unhurt. 

“ That drink was rather hot ! ” cried Hymer, trying 
to joke at his ill luck. “But it doesn’t take a very 


82 


The Story of Siegfried. 


great man to break a goblet. Xhere is one thing, how- 
ever, that you cannot do. Yonder is my great brewing- 
kettle, a mile deep. No man has ever lifted it. Now, 
if you will carry it out of the hall, where it sits, you 
may have it for your own.” 

“Agreed ! ” cried Thor. “It is a fair bargain ; and, 
if I fail, I will go home and never trouble you again.” 

Then he took hold of the edge of the great kettle, 
and lifted it with all his might. The floor of Hymer’s 
hall broke under him, and the walls and roof came 
tumbling down ; but he turned the kettle over his head, 
and walked away with it, the great rings of the vessel 
clattering' at his heels. Tyr went befqre him, and 
cleared the way ; and Hymer gazed after him in utter 
amazement. The two Asa-folk had fairly won the 
brewing-kettle. 

Iri|jdue time they reached old Aigir’s hall, where 
the guests were still waiting for them. Some said that 
they had been gone three days, but most agreed that 
it was only three hours. Be that as it may, Aigir’s 
thralls, Funfeng and Elder, brewed great store of ale 
in the kettle which Thor had brought ; and, when the 
guests were seated at the table, the foaming liquor 
passed itself around to each, and there was much mer- 
riment and glad good cheer. And old ALgir was so 
happy in the pleasant company of the Asa-folk, that 
men say that he forgot to blow and bluster for a full 
six months thereafter . 1 


See Note 14 at the end of this volume. 


In a E gir’s Kingdom. 


83 


Such was the story which the wise harper told to 
Siegfried as they sailed gayly along the Norwegian 
shore. And with many other pleasant tales did they 
beguile the hours away. And no one ever thought of 
danger, for the sky was blue and cloudless. And, 
besides this, Bragi himself was on board ; and he could 
charm and control the rudest elements. 

One day, however, the sea became unaccountably 
ruffled. There was no wind ; but yet the waves rose 
suddenly, and threatened to overwhelm the little ship. 
Quickly the sailors sprang to their oars, and tried by 
rowing to drive the vessel away from the shore and 
into the quieter waters of the open sea. But all their 
strength was of no avail : the swift stream carried the 
little *bark onward in its course, as an autumn leaf is 
borne on the bosom of a mighty river. Then the whole 
surface of the water seemed lashed into fury#) The 
waves formed hundreds of currents, each stronger than 
a mountain torrent, and each seeming to follow a course 
of its own. They dashed wildly against each other ; 
they heaved, and boiled, and hissed, and threw great 
clouds of spray high into the air ; they formed deep 
whirlpools, which twisted and twirled, and broke into a 
thousand eddies, and then plunged deep down into 
rocky caverns beneath, or laid bare the bottom of the 
sea. The helpless ship was carried round and round, 
swiftly and more swiftly still ; and vain were the efforts 
of the crew to steer her out of the seething caldron of 
waters. Then the cheeks of the sailors grew white 


8 4 


The Story of Siegfried . 


with fear ; and they dropped their oars, and clung to 
the masts and ropes, and cried out, — 

“Alas, we are lost! This is old Aigir’s brewing- 
kettle ! ” 

But Siegfried stood by the helm, and said, — 

“ If that be true, then we may sup with him in his 
gold-lit hall.” 

And all this time Bragi slept in the hold, and no one 
dared awaken him. Faster and faster the ship was 
carried round the seething pool. The flying spray was 
frozen in the air ; and it filled the masts with snow, and 
pattered like heavy hail upon the deck. The light of 
the sun seemed shut out, and darkness closed around. 
A dismal chasm yawned deep before them, and in 
the gray gloom the ship’s crew saw many wondrous 
things. Great sea-monsters swam among the rocks, 
and seemed not to heed the uproar above them. 
Lovely mermaids sat in their green-and-purple caves, 
and combed their tresses of golden hair ; and thought- 
ful mermen groped among the seaweeds, searching 
hopefully for lost or hidden treasures. Then Siegfried 
caught a glimpse of the mighty JEgir, sitting in his 
banquet-room ; and, as he quaffed his foaming ale, he 
called aloud to his daughters to leave their play, and 
come to their father in his gold-lit hall. And the 
white-veiled Waves answered to their names, and came 
at his call.' First, Raging Sea entered the wide hall, 
and sat by the Ocean-king’s side ; then Billow, then 
Surge, then Surf, and Breakers ; then came the Purple- 


In AZgir's Kingdom. 


85 


haired, and the Diver ; but Aigir’s two youngest 
daughters, Laughing Ripple and Smiling Sky-clear, 
came not at their father’s beck, but lingered to play 
among the rocks and in the open sea. 

So deeply engaged was Siegfried in watching this 
scene, that he did not notice Bragi, who now came upon 
the deck with his harp in his hand. And sweet music 
arose from among the dashing waves, and was heard far 
down in the deep sea-caverns, and even in Aigir’s hall. 
And, when Siegfried looked up again, the eddying 
5 whirlpools, and the threatening waves, and the flying 
spray, were no more ; but the ship was gliding over the 
quiet waters of a deep blue sea, and the sun was shin- 
ing brightly in the clear sky above. Then an east wind 
filled the sails ; and, as Bragi’s music rose sweeter and 
higher, they glided swiftly away from the coast, and 
soon the snow-capped mountain-peaks grew dim in the 
distance, and then sank from sight. 

Many days they sailed over an unknown sea, and 
towards an unknown land ; and none but Bragi knew 
what the end of their voyage would be. And yet no one* 
doubted or was afraid, for the secrets of the earth and 
the sea were known to the sweet singer. After a time, 
the water became as smooth as glass : not a ripple 
moved upon its surface, and not the slightest breath of 
air stirred among the idly-hanging sails. Then the 
sailors went to their oars ; but they seemed overcome 
with languor and sleepiness, and only when Bragi 
played upon his harp did they move their oars with 


86 


The Story of Siegfried . 


their wonted strength and quickness. And at last they 
came in sight of a long, low coast, and a shelving 
beach up which the tide was slowly creeping in drowsy 
silence. And not half a league from the shore was a 
grand old castle, with a tall tower and many turrets, 
and broad halls and high battlements ; and in the light 
of the setting sun every thing was as green as emerald 
or as the fresh grass of early spring. And a pale 
flickering light gleamed on the castle-walls, and the 
moat seemed filled with a glowing fire. 

The ship glided silently up to the sandy beach, and 
the sailors moored it to the shore. But Siegfried heard 
no sound upon the land, nor could he see any . moving, 
living thing. Silence brooded everywhere, and the 
castle and its inmates seemed to be wrapped in 
slumber. The sentinels could be seen upon the ram- 
parts, standing like statues of stone, and showing no 
signs of life ; while above the barbacan gate the 
watchman was at his post, motionless and asleep. 


Brunhild. 


87 


ADVENTURE VI. 


.BRUNHILD. 

Siegfried and the harper sat together in the little 
ship as it lay moored to the sandy shore ; and their 
eyes were turned towards the sea-green castle and its 
glowing walls, and they looked in vain for any move- 
ment, or any sign of wakeful life. Every thing was 
still. Not a breath of air was stirring. The leaves of 
the trees hung motionless, as if they, too, were asleep. 
The great green banner on the tower’s top clung 
around the flagstaff as if it had never fluttered to the 
breeze. No song of birds, nor hum of insects., came 
to their ears. There was neither sound nor motion 
anywhere. 

“ Play your harp, good Bragi, and awaken all these 
sleepers,” said Siegfried. 

Then the harper touched the magic strings, and 
strains of music, loud and clear, but sweet as a baby’s 
breath, rose up in the still air, and floated over the 
quiet bay, and across the green meadows which lay 
around the castle-walls ; and it was borne upward over 
the battlements, and among the shining turrets and 


88 


The Story of Siegfried. 


towers, and was carried far out over the hills, and 
among the silent trees of the plain. And Bragi sung 
of the beginning of all things, and of whatsoever is 
beautiful on the land, or in the sea, or in the sky. And 
Siegfried looked to see every thing awakened, and 
quickened into life, as had oft been done before by 
Bragi’s music ; but nothing stirred. The sun went 
down, and the gray twilight hung over sea and land, 
and the red glow in the castle-moat grew redder still ; 
and yet every thing slept. Then Bragi ended his 
song, and the strings of his harp were mute. 

“Muaic has no charms to waken from sleep like 
that,” he said. 

And then he told Siegfried what it all meant ; and, 
to make the story plain, he began by telling of Odin’s 
bright home at Gladsheim and of the many great halls 
that were there. 

One of the halls in Gladsheim is called Valhal. This 
halbis so large and wide, that all the armies of the earth 
might move within it. Outside, it is covered with gold 
and with sun-bright shields. A fierce wolf stands guard 
before it, and a mountain-eagle hovers over it. It has 
five hundred and forty doors, each large enough for 
eight hundred heroes to march through abreast. Inside, 
every thing is glittering bright. The rafters are made 
of spears, and the ceiling is covered with shields, and 
the walls are decked with war-coats. In this hall Odin 
sets daily a feast for all the heroes that have been slain 
in battle. These sit at the great table, and eat of the 


Brunhild. 


89 


food which Odin’s servants have prepared, and drink of 
the heavenly mead which the Valkyries, Odin’s hand- 
maids, bring them. 

But the Valkyries have a greater duty. When the 
'battle rages, and swords clash, and shields ring, and the 
air is filled with shouts and groans and all the din of 
war, then these maidens hover over the field of blood 
and death, and carry the slain heroes home to Valhal. 1 

One of Odin’s Valkyries was named Brunhild, and 
she was the most beautiful of all the maidens that 
chose heroes for his war-host. But she was wilful 
too, and did not always obey the All-Father’s behests. 
And when Odin knew that she had sometimes snatched 
the doomed from death, and sometimes helped her 
chosen friends to victory, he was very angry. And he 
drove her away from Gladsheim, and sent her, friend- 
less and poor, to live among the children of men, and to 
be in all ways like them. But, as she wandered weary 
and alone over the earth, the good old King of Isen- 
land saw her beauty and her distress, and pity and 
love moved his heart ; and, as he had no children of his 
own, he took her for his daughter, and made her his 
heir. And not long afterward he died, and the match- 
less Brunhild became queen of all the fair lands of 
Isenland and the hall of Isenstein. When Odin heard 
of this, he was more angry still ; and he sent to Isen- 
stein, and caused Brunhild to be stung with the thorn 
of Sleep. And he said, — 

1 See Note 15 at the end of this volume. 


90 


The Story of Siegfried . 


“ She shall sleep until one shall come who is brave 
enough to ride through fire to awaken her.” 

And all Isenland slept too, because Brunhild, the 
Maiden of Spring, lay wounded with the Sleepful thorn.^ 

When Siegfried heard this story, he knew that the 
land which lay before them was Isenland, and that 
the castle was Isenstein, and that Brunhild was sleeping 
within that circle of fire. 

“ My songs have no power to awaken such a sleep- 
er,” said Bragi. “ A hero strong and brave must ride 
through the flame to arouse her. It is for this that I 
have brought you hither ; and here I will leave you, while 
I sail onwards to brighten other lands with my music.” 

Siegfried’s heart leaped up with gladness ; for he 
thought that here, at last, was a worthy deed for him to 
do. And he bade his friend Bragi good-by, and stepped 
ashore ; and Greyfell followed him. And Bragi sat at 
the prow of the ship, and played his harp again ; and 
the sailors plied their oars ; and the little vessel moved 
swiftly out of the bay, and was seen no more. And 
Siegfried stood alone on the silent, sandy beach. 

As he thus stood, the full moon rose white and drip- 
ping from the sea ; and its light fell on the quiet water, 
and the sloping meadows, and the green turrets of the 
castle. And the last notes of Bragi’s harp came float- 
ing to him over the sea. 

Then a troop of fairies came down to dance upon the 
sands. It was the first sign of life that Siegfried had 


Brunhild . 


9i 


seen. As the little creatures drew near, he hid himself 
among the tall reeds which grew close to the shore ; for 
he wished to see them at their gambols, and to listen to 
fheir songs. At first, as if half afraid of their own tiny 
shadows, they danced in silence ; but, as the moon rose 
higher, they grew bolder; and began to sing: And their 
music was so sweet and soft, that Siegfried forgot almost 
every thing else for the time : they sang of the pleasant 
summer days, and of cooling shades, and still fountains, 
and silent birds, and peaceful slumber. And a strange 
longing for sleep took hold of Siegfried ; and his eyes 
grew heavy, and the sound of the singing seemed dim 
and far away. But just as he was losing all knowledge 
of outward things, and his senses seemed moving in a 
dream, the fairies stopped dancing, and a little brown 
elf came up from the sea, and saluted the queen of the 
tiny folk. 

“ What news bring you from the great world beyond 
the water ? ” asked the queen. 

“ The prince is on his way hither,” answered the elf. 

“ And what will he do ? ” 

“ If he is brave enough, he will awaken the princess, 
and arouse the drowsy people of Isenstein ; for the 
Norns have said that such a prince shall surely come.” 

“ But he must be the bravest of men ere he can enter 
the enchanted castle,” said the queen ; “ for the wide 
moat is filled with flames, and no faint heart will ever 
dare battle with them.” 

“ But I will dare ! ” cried Siegfried ; and he sprang 


92 


The Story of Siegfried ’ 


from his hiding-place, forgetful of the little folk, who 
suddenly flitted away, and left him alone upon the beach. 
He glanced across the meadows at the green turrets 
glistening in the mellow moonlight, and then at the 
flickering flames around the castle-walls, and he re- 
solved that on the morrow he would at all hazards per- 
form the perilous feat. 

In the morning, as soon as .the gray dawn appeared, 
he began to make ready for his difficult undertaking. 
But, when he looked again at the red flames, he began 
to hesitate. He paused, uncertain whether to wait for 
a sign and for help from the All-Father, or whether to 
go straightway to the castle, and, trusting in his good 
armor alone, try to pass through the burning moat. 
While he thus stood in doubt, his eyes were dazzled by 
a sudden flash of light. He looked up. Greyfell came 
dashing across the sands ; and from his long mane a 
thousand sunbeams gleamed and sparkled in the morn- 
ing light. Siegfried had never seen the wondrous crea- 
ture so radiant ; and as the steed stood by him in all 
his strength and beauty he felt new hope and courage, 
as if Odin himself had spoken to him. He hesitated 
no longer, but mounted the noble horse ; and Greyfell 
bore him swiftly over the plain, and paused not until 
he had reached the brink of the burning moat. 

Now, indeed, would Siegfried’s heart have failed him, 
had he not been cheered by the sunbeam presence of 
Greyfell. For filling the wide, deep ditch, were angry, 
hissing flames, which, like a thousand serpent-tongues, 


Brunhild . 


93 


reached out, and felt here and there, for what they 
might devour ; and ever and anon they took new 
forms, and twisted and writhed like fiery snakes, and 
then they swirled in burning coils high over the castle- 
walls. Siegfried stopped not a moment. He spoke 
the word, and boldly the horse with his rider dashed 
into the fiery lake ; and the vile flames fled in shame 
and dismay before the pure sunbeam flashes from Grey- 
fell’s mane. And, unscorched and unscathed, Siegfried 
rode through the moat, and through the wide-open 
gate, and into the castle-yard. 

The gate-keeper sat fast asleep in his lodge, while 
the chains and the heavy key with which, when awake, 
he was wont to make the great gate fast, lay rusting 
at his feet ; and neither he, nor the sentinels on the 
ramparts above, stirred or awoke at the sound of Grey- 
fell’s clattering hoofs. As Siegfried passed from one 
part of the castle to another, many strange sights met 
his eyes. In the stables the horses slumbered in their 
stalls, and the grooms lay snoring by their sides. The 
birds sat sound asleep on their nests beneath the eaves. 
The watch-dogs, with fast-closed eyes, lay stretched at 
full-length before the open doors. In the garden the 
fountain no longer played, the half-laden bees had gone 
to sleep among the blossoms of the apple-trees, and 
the flowers themselves had forgotten to open their 
petals to the sun. In the kitchen the cook was dozing 
over the half-baked meats in front of the smouldering 
fire ; the butler was snoring in the pantry ; the dairy- 


94 


The Story of Siegfried . 


maid was quietly napping among the milk-pans ; and 
even the house-flies had gone to sleep over the crumbs 
of sugar on the table. In the great banquet-room a 
thousand knights, overcome with slumber, sat silent at 
the festal board ; and their chief, sitting on the dais, 
slept, with his half-emptied goblet at his lips. 

Siegfried passed hurriedly from room to room and 
from hall to hall, and cast but one hasty glance at the 
strange sights which met him at every turn ; for he 
knew that none of the drowsy ones in that spacious 
castle could be awakened until he had aroused the 
Princess Brunhild. In the grandest hall of the palace 
he found her. The peerless maiden, most richly dight, 
reclined upon a couch beneath a gold-hung canopy ; 
and her attendants, the ladies of the court, sat near and 
around her. Sleep held fast her eyelids, and her 
breathing was so gentle, that, but for the’blush upon 
her cheeks, Siegfried would have thought her dead. 
For long, long years had her head thus lightly rested 
on that gold-fringed pillow ; and in all that time neither 
her youth had faded, nor her wondrous beauty waned. 

Siegfried stood beside her. Gently he touched his 
lips to that matchless forehead ; softly he named her 
name, — 

“Brunhild!” 

The charm was broken. Up rose the peerless prin- 
cess in all her queen-like beauty ; up rose the courtly 
ladies round her. All over the castle, from cellar to 
belfry-tower, from the stable to the banquet-hall, there 


Brunhild. 


95 


was a sudden awakening, — a noise of hurrying feet 
and mingled voices, and sounds which had long been 
strangers to the halls of Isenstein. The watchman on 
the tower, and the sentinels on the ramparts, yawned, 
and would not believe they had been asleep ; the porter 
picked up his keys, and hastened to lock the long-forgot- 
ten gates ; the horses neighed in their stalls ; the watch- 
dogs barked at the sudden hubbub ; the birds, ashamed 
at having allowed the sun to find them napping, hastened 
to seek their food in the meadows ; the servants hur- 
ried here and there, each intent upon his duty ; the 
warriors in the banquet-hall clattered their knives and 
plates, and began again their feast ; and their chief 
dropped his goblet, and rubbed his eyes, and wondered 
that sleep should have overtaken him in the midst of 
such a meal. 1 

And Siegfried, standing at an upper window, looked 
out over the castle-walls ; and he saw that the flames 
no longer raged in the moat, but that it was filled with 
clear sparkling water from the fountain which played in 
the garden. And the south wind blew gently from the 
sea, bringing from afar the sweetest strains of music from 
Bragi’s golden harp ; and the breezes whispered among 
the trees, and the flowers opened their petals to the sun, 
and birds and insects made the air melodious with their 
glad voices. Then Brunhild, radiant with smiles, stood 
by the hero’s side, and welcomed him kindly to Isen- 
land and to her green-towered castle of Isenstein. 

1 See Note 16 at the end of this volume. 


96 


The Story of Siegfried. 


ADVENTURE VII. 


IN NIBELUNGEN LAND. 

Every one in the castle of Isenstein, from the prin- 
cess to the kitchen-maid, felt grateful to the young hero 
for what he had done. The best rooms were fitted up 
for his use, and a score of serving men and maidens 
were set apart to do his bidding, and ordered to be 
mindful of his slightest wish. And all the earl-folk and 
brave men, and all the fair ladies, and Brunhild, fairest 
of them all, besought him to make his home there, nor 
ever think of going back to Rhineland. Siegfried 
yielded to their persuasions, and for six months he 
tarried in the enchanted land in one long round of 
merry-making and gay enjoyment. But his thoughts 
were ever turned toward his father’s home in the Low- 
lands across the sea, *and he longed to behold again his 
gentle mother Sigelind. Then he grew tired of his 
life of idleness and ease, and he wished that he might 
go out again into the busy world of manly action and 
worthy deeds. And day by day this feeling grew 
stronger, and filled him with unrest. 

One morning, as he sat alone by the seashore, and 


In Nibelungen Land. 


97 


watched the lazy tide come creeping up the sands, two 
ravens lighted near him. Glad was he to see them, for 
he knew them to be Hugin and Munin, the sacred 
birds of Odin, and he felt sure that they brought him 
words of cheer from the All-Father. Then Hugin 
flapped his wings, and said, “ In idleness the stings of 
death lie hidden, but in busy action are the springs 
of life. For a hundred years fair Brunhild slept, but 
why should Siegfried sleep ? The world awaits him, 
but it waits too long.” 

Thert Munin flapped his wings also, but he said 
nothing. And busy memory carried Siegfried back to 
his boyhood days ; and he called to mind, the wise words 
of his father Siegmund, and the fond hopes of his gentle 
mother, and he thought, too, of the noble deeds of his 
kinsfolk of the earlier days. And he rose in haste, and 
cried, “ Life of ease, farewell ! I go where duty leads. 
To him who wills to do, the great All-Father will send 
strength and help.” 

While he spoke, his eyes were dazzled with a flash of 
light. He looked ; and the beaming Greyfell, his long 
mane sparkling like a thousand sunbeams, dashed up 
the beach, and stood beside him. -As the noble steed in 
all his strength and beauty stood before him, the youth 
felt fresh courage ; for, in the presence of the shining 
hope which the All-Father had given him, all hinder- 
ances seemed to vanish, and all difficulties to be already 
overcome. He looked toward the sea again, and saw 
in the blue distance a white-sailed ship drawing swiftly 


98 


The Story of Siegfried. 


near, its golden dragon-stem ploughing through the 
waves like some great bird of the deep. And as with 
straining, eager eyes, he watched its coming, he felt that 
Odin had sent it, and that the time had come wherein 
he must be up and doing. The hour for thriving action 
comes to us once : if not seized upon and used, it may 
never come again. 

The ship drew near the shore. The sailors rested on 
their oars. Siegfried and the steed Greyfell sprang 
upon the deck ; then the sailors silently bent again to 
their rowing. The flapping sails were filled and tight- 
ened by the strong west wind ; and the light vessel 
leaped from wave to wave like a thing of life, until 
Isenstein, with its tall towers and its green marble halls, 
sank from sight in the distance and the mist. And 
Siegfried and his noble steed seemed to be the only liv- 
ing beings on board ; for the sailors who plied the oars 
were so silent and phantom-like, that they appeared to 
be nought but the ghosts of the summer sea-breezes. 
As the ship sped swiftly on its way, all the creatures in 
the sea paused to behold the sight. The mermen rested 
from their weary search for hidden treasures, and the 
mermaids forgot to comb their long tresses, as the 
radiant vessel and its hero-freight glided past. And 
even old King JEgix left his brewing-kettle in his great 
hall, and bade his daughters, the white-veiled Waves, 
cease playing until the vessel should safely reach its 
haven. 

When, at length, the day had passed, and the evening 


In Nibelungen Land. 


99 


twilight had come, Siegfried saw that the ship was 
nearing land; but it was a strange land. 1 Like a 
fleecy cloud it appeared to rest above the waves, mid- 
way between the earth and the sky ; a dark mist hung 
upon it, and it seemed a land of dreams and shadows. 
The ship drew nearer and nearer to the mysterious 
shore, and as it touched the beach the sailors rested 
from their rowing. Then Siegfried and the horse 
Greyfell leaped ashore ; but, when they looked back, 
the fair vessel that had carried them was nowhere to 
be seen. Whether it had suddenly been clutched by 
the greedy fingers of the Sea-queen Ran, and dragged 
down into her deep sea-caverns, or whether, like the 
wondrous ship Skidbladner, it had been folded up, and 
made invisible to the eyes of men, Siegfried never 
knew. The thick mists and the darkness of night closed 
over and around both hero and horse ; and they dared 
not stir, but stood long hours in the silent gloom, waiting 
for the coming of the dawn. 

At length the morning came, but the light was not 
strong enough to scatter the fogs and thick vapors that 
rested upon the land. Then Siegfried mounted Grey- 
fell ; and the sunbeams began to flash from the horse’s 
mane and from the hero’s glittering mail-coat ; and 
the hazy clouds fled upward and away, until they were 
caught and held fast by great mist-giants, who stood 
like sentinels on the mountain-tops. As the shining 
pair came up from the sea, and passed through the 


1 See Note 17 at the end of this volume. 


TOO 


The Story of Siegfried ’ 


woods and valleys of the Nibelungen Land, there 
streamed over all that region such a flood of sunlight 
as had never before been seen. 

In every leafy tree, and behind every blade of grass, 
elves and fairies were hidden ; and under every rock 
and in every crevice lurked cunning dwarfs. But Sieg- 
fried rode. straight forward until he came to the steep 
side of a shadowy mountain. There, at the mouth of 
a cavern, a strange sight met his eyes. Two young 
men, dressed in princes’ clothing, sat upon the ground : 
their features were all haggard and gaunt, and pinched 
with hunger, and their eyes wild with wakefulness and 
fear ; and all around them were heaps of gold and pre- 
cious stones, — more than a hundred wagons could carry 
away. And neither of the two princes would leave the 
shining hoard for food, nor close his eyes in sleep, lest 
the other might seize and hide some part of the treasure. 
And thus they had watched and hungered through many 
long days and sleepless nights, each hoping that the 
other would die, and that the whole inheritance might 
be his own. 

When they saw Siegfried riding near, they called out 
to him, and said, “ Noble stranger, stop a moment! 
Come and help us divide this treasure.” 

“Who are you?” asked Siegfried; “and what treas- 
ure is it that lies there ? ” 

“We are the sons of Niblung, who until lately was 
king of this Mist Land. Our names are Schilbung and 
the young Niblung,” faintly answered the princes. 


In Nibelungen Land. 


IOI 


“And what are you doing here with this gold and 
these glittering stones ? ” 

“This is the great Nibelungen Hoard, which our 
father not long ago brought from the South-land. It is 
not clear just how he obtained it. 1 Some say that he 
got it unjustly from his brother, whose vassals had 
digged it from the earth. Others say that he found it 
lying on the Glittering Heath, where Fafnir the Dragon 
had guarded it zealously for ages past, until he was slain 
by a hero who cared nought for his gold. But, be this 
as it may, our father is now dead, and we have brought 
the hoard out of the cavern where he had hidden it, in 
order that we may share it between us equally. But 
we cannot agree, and we pray you to help us divide it.” 

Then Siegfried dismounted from the horse Greyfell, 
and came near the two princes. 

“I will gladly do as you ask,” said he; “but first I 
must know more about your father, — who he was, 
and whether this is really the Hoard of the Glittering 
Heath.” 

Then Niblung answered, as well as his feeble voice 
would allow, “Our father was, from the earliest times, 
the ruler of this land, and the lord of the fog and the 
mist. Many strongholds, and many noble halls, had he 
in this land ; and ten thousand brave warriors were 
ever ready to do his bidding. The trolls, and the 
swarthy elves of the mountains, and tfye giants of the 
cloudy peaks, were his vassals. But he did more than 


1 See Note x8 at the end of this volume. 


102 


The Story of Siegfried . 


rule over the Nibelungen Land. Twice every year he 
crossed the sea and rambled through the Rhine valleys, 
or loitered in the moist Lowlands ; and now and then 
he brought rich trophies back to his island home. 
The last time, he brought this treasure with him ; but, v 
as we have said, it is not clear how he obtained it. We 
have heard men say that it was the Hoard of Andvari, 
and that when Fafnir, the dragon who watched it, was 
slain, the hero who slew him left it to be taken again by 
the swarthy elves who had gathered it ; but because of 
a curse which Andvari had placed upon it, no one 
would touch it, until some man would assume its own- 
ership, and take upon himself the risk of incurring the 
curse. This thing, it is said, our father did. And the 
dwarf Alberich undertook to keep it for him ; and he, 
with the help of the ten thousand elves who live in these 
caverns, and the twelve giants whom you see standing 
on the mountain-peaks around, guarded it faithfully so 
long as our father lived. But, when he died, we and 
our thralls fetched it forth from the cavern, and spread 
it here on the ground. And, lo ! for many days we 
have watched and tried to divide it equally. But we 
cannot agree.” 

“ What hire will you give me if I divide it for you ? ” 
asked Siegfried. 

“ Name what you will have,” answered the princes. 

“Give me the sword which lies before you on the 
glittering heap.” 

Then Niblung handed him the sword, and said, 


In Nibelungm Land. 


103 


“ Right gladly will we give it. It is a worthless blade 
that our father brought from the South-land. They say 
that he found it also on the Glittering Heath, in the 
trench where Fafnir was slain. And some will have it 
that it was forged by Regin, Fafnir’s own brother. But 
how that is, I do not know. At any rate, it is of no use 
to us ; for it turns against us whenever we try to use it.” 

Siegfried took the sword. It was his own Balmung, 
that had been lost so long. 

Forthwith he began the task of dividing the treas- 
ure ; and the two brothers, so faint from hunger and 
want of sleep that they could scarcely lift their heads, 
watched him with anxious, greedy eyes. First he 
placed a piece of gold by Niblung’s side, and then a 
piece of like value he gave to Schilbung. And this 
he did again and again, until no more gold was left. 
Then, in the same manner, he divided the precious 
gem-stones until none remained. And the brothers 
were much pleased ; and they hugged their glittering 
treasures, and thanked Siegfried for his kindness, and 
for the fairness with which he had given to each his 
own. But one thing was left which had not fallen to 
# the lot of either brother. It was a ring of curious 
workmanship, — a serpent coiled, with its tail in its 
mouth, and with ruby eyes glistening and cold. 

“What shall I do with this ring?” asked Siegfried. 

“ Give it to me ! ” cried Niblung. 

“ Give it to me ! ” cried Schilbung. 

And both tried to snatch it from Siegfried’s hand. 


04 


The Story of Siegfried . 


But the effort was too great for them. Their arms 
fell helpless at their sides, their feet slipped beneath 
them, their limbs failed : they sank fainting, each upon 
his pile of treasures. 

“O my dear, dear gold!” murmured Niblung, try- 
ing to clasp it all in his arms, — “ my dear, dear gold ! 
Thou art mine, mine only. No one shall take thee 
from me. Here thou art, here thou shalt rest. O 
•my dear, dear gold!” And then, calling up the last 
spark of life left in his famished body, he cried out to 
Siegfried, “ Give me the ring ! — the ring, I say ! ” 

He hugged his cherished gold nearer to his bosom ; 
he ran his thin fingers deep down into the shining yel- 
low heap ; he pressed his pale lips to the cold and 
senseless metal ; he whispered faintly, “ My dear, dear 
gold ! ” and then he died. 

“O precious, precious gem-stones,” faltered Schil- 
bung, “ how beautiful you are ! And you are mine, all 
mine. I will keep you safe. Come, come, my bright- 
eyed beauties ! No one but me shall touch you. You 
are mine, mine, mine ! ” And he chattered and laughed 
as only madmen laugh. And he kissed the hard stones,- 
and sought to hide them in his bosom. But his hands 
trembled and failed, dark mists swam before his eyes ; 
he fancied that he heard the black dwarfs clamoring 
for bis treasure ; he sprang up quickly, he shrieked — 
and then fell lifeless upon his hoard of sparkling gems. 

A strange, sad sight it was, — boundless wealth, and 
jniserable death ; two piles of yellow gold and sun- 


In Nibelungen Land. 




i°5 

bright diamonds, and two thin, starved corpses stretched 
upon them. Some stories relate that the brothers were 
slain by Siegfried, because their foolish strife and 
greediness had angered him. 1 But I like not to think 
so. It was the gold, and not Siegfried, that slew them. 

“O gold, gold!” cried the hero sorrowfully, “truly 
thou art the mid-world’s curse ; thou art man’s bane. 
But when the bright spring-time of the new world 
shall come, and Balded shall reign in his glory, then 
will the curse be taken from thee, and thy yellow 
brightness will be the sign of purity and enduring 
worth ; and then thou wilt be a blessing to mankind, 
and the precious plaything of the gods.” 

But Siegfried had little time for thought and speech. 
A strange sound was heard upon the mountain-side. 
The twelve great giants who had stood as watchmen 
upon the peaks above were rushing down to avenge 
their masters, and to drive the intruder out of Nibelun- 
gen Land. Siegfried waited not for their onset ; but he 
mounted the noble horse Greyfell, and, with the sword 
Balmung in his hand, he rode forth to meet his foes, 
who, with fearful threats and hideous roars, came 
striding toward him. The sunbeams flashed from 
Greyfell’s mane, and dazzled the dull eyes of the giants, 
unused as they were to the full light of day. Doubt- 
ful, they paused, and then again came forward. But 
they mistook every tree in their way for an enemy, and 
every rock they thought a foe ; and in their fear they 

1 See Note 19 at the end of this volume. 


* 


The Story of Siegfried. 


106 


fancied a great host to be before them. Did you ever 
see the dark and threatening storm-clouds on a sum- 
mer’s day scattered and put to flight by the bright 
beams of the sun ? It was thus that Siegfried’s giant 
foes were routed. One and all, they dropped their 
heavy clubs, and stood ashamed and trembling, not 
knowing what to do. And Siegfried made each one 
swear to serve him faithfully ; and then he sent them 
back to the snow-covered mountain-peaks to stand 
again as watchmen at their posts. 

And now another danger appeared. Alberich the 
dwarf, the master of the swarthy elves who guarded 
the Nibelungen Hoard, had come out from his cavern, 
and seen the two princes lying dead beside their treas- 
ures, and he thought that they had been murdered by 
Siegfried ; and, when he beheld the giants driven back 
to the mountain-tops, he lifted a little silver horn to his 
lips, and blew a shrill bugle-call. And the little brown 
elves came trooping forth by thousands : from under 
every rock, from the nooks and crannies and crevices 
in the mountain-side, from the deep cavern and the 
narrow gorge, they came at the call of their chief. 
Then, at Alberich’s word, they formed in line of battle, 
and stood in order around the hoard and the bodies 
of their late masters. Their little golden shields, and 
their sharp-pointed spears were thick as the blades of 
grass in a Rhine meadow. And Siegfried, when he saw 
them, was pleased and surprised ; for never before had 
such a host of pygmy warriors stood before him. 


In Nibelungen Land. 


107 


While he paused and looked, the elves became sud- 
denly silent, and Siegfried noticed that Alberich stood 
no longer at their head, but had strangely vanished 
from sight. 

“ Ah, Alberich ! ” cried the hero. “Thou art indeed 
cunning. I have heard of thy tricks. Thou hast 
donned the Tarnkappe, the cloak of darkness, which 
hides thee from sight, and makes thee as strong as 
twelve common men. But come on, thou brave dwarf ! ” 
Scarcely had he spoken, .when he felt a shock which 
almost sent him reeling from his saddle, and made 
Greyfell plunge about with fright. Quickly, then, did 
Siegfried dismount, and, with every sense alert, he 
waited for the second onset of the unseen dwarf.*' It 
was plain that Alberich wished to strike him unawares, 
for many minutes passed in utter silence. Then a 
brisk breath of wind passed by Siegfried’s face, and he 
felt another blow ; but, by a quick downward movement 
of his hand, he caught the plucky elf-king, and tore off 
the magic Tarnkappe, and then, with firm grasp, he 
held him, struggling in vain to get free. 

“Ah, Alberich!” he cried, “now I know thou art 
cunning. But the Tarnkappe I must have for my own. 
What wilt thou give for thy freedom ? ” 

“ Worthy prince,” answered Alberich humbly, “you 
have fairly overcome me in fight, and made me your 
prisoner. I and all mine, as well as this treasure, right- 
fully belong to you. We are yours, and you we shall 


io8 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Swear it ! ” said Siegfried. “ Swear it, and thou 
shalt live, and be the keeper of my treasures.” 

And Alberich made a sign to his elfin host, and 
every spear was turned point downwards, and every 
tiny shield was thrown to the ground, and the ten 
thousand little warriors kneeled, as did also their chief, 
and acknowledged Siegfried to be their rightful master, 
and the lord of the Nibelungen Land, and the owner of 
the Hoard of Andvari. 

Then, by Alberich’s orders, the elves carried the 
Hoard back into the cavern, and there kept faithful 
watch and ward over it. And they buried the starved 
bodies of the two princes on the top of the mist-veiled 
mountain ; and heralds were sent to all the strongholds 
in Nibelungen Land, proclaiming that Siegfried, through 
his wisdom and might, had become the true lord and 
king of the land. Afterwards the prince, riding on 
the beaming Greyfell, went from place to place, scatter- 
ing sunshine and smiles where shadows and frowns had 
been before. And the Nibelungen folk welcomed him 
everywhere with glad shouts and music and dancing ; 
and ten thousand warriors, and many noble earl-folk, 
came to meet him, and plighted their faith to him. 
And the pure brightness of his hero-soul, and the 
gleaming sunbeams from Greyfell’s mane, — the light of 
hope and faith, — lifted the curtain of mists and fogs that 
had so long darkened the land, and let in the glorious 
glad light of day and the genial warmth of summer. 


Siegfried' s Welcome Home. 


109 


ADVENTURE VIII. 


SIEGFRIED’S WELCOME HOME. 

In Santen Castle, one day, there was a strange up- 
roar and confusion. Everybody was hurrying aimlessly 
about, and no one seemed to know just what to do. 
On every side there were restless whisperings, and 
hasty gestures, and loud commands. The knights and 
warriors were busy donning their war-coats, and buck- 
ling on their swords and helmets. Wise King Sieg- 
mund sat in his council-chamber, and the knowing men 
of the kingdom stood around him ; and the minds of 
all seemed troubled with doubt, if not with fear. 

What could have caused so great an uproar in the 
once quiet old castle ? What could have brought per- 
plexity to the mind of the wisest king in all Rhine- 
land ? It was this : a herald had just come from the 
seashore, bringing word that a strange fleet of a 
hundred white-sailed vessels had cast anchor off the 
coast, and that an army of ten thousand fighting men 
had landed, and were making ready to march against 
Santen. Nobody had ever heard of so large a fleet 
before ; and no one could guess who the strangers 


I IO 


The Story of Siegfried. 


might be, nor whence they had come, nor why they 
should thus, without asking leave, land in the country 
of a peace-loving king. 

The news spread quickly over all the land. People 
from every part came hastening to the friendly shelter 
of the castle. The townsmen, with their goods and 
cattle, hurried within the walls. The sentinels on the 
ramparts paced uneasily to and fro, and scanned with 
watchful eye every stranger that came near the walls. 
The warders stood ready to hoist the drawbridge, and 
close the gate, at the first signal given by the watchman 
above, who was straining his eyes to their utmost in 
order to see the first approach of the foe. 

A heavy mist hung over the meadow-lands between 
Santen and the sea, and nothing was visible beyond the 
gates of the town. The ten thousand strange warriors 
might be within half a league of the castle, and yet the 
sharpest eagle-eye could not see them. 

All at once a clatter of horse’s hoofs was heard ; the 
dark mist rosehip from the ground, and began to roll 
away, like a great cloud, into the sky ; and then strange 
sunbeam-flashes were seen where the fog had lately 
rested. 

“ They come ! ” cried one of the sentinels. “ I see 
the glitter of their shields and lances.” 

“Not so,” said the watchman from his place on the 
tower above. “ I see but one man, and he rides with 
the speed of the wind, and lightning flashes from the 
mane of the horse which carries him.” 


Siegfried' s Welcome Home. 


1 1 1 


The drawbridge was hastily hoisted. The heavy 
gates were quickly shut, and fastened with bolts and 
bars. Every man in the castle was at his post, ready 
to defend the fortress with his life. In a short time 
the horse and his rider drew near. All who looked out 
upon them were dazzled with the golden brightness of 
the hero’s armor, as well as with the lightning gleams 
that flashed from the horse’s mane. And some whis- 
pered, — 

“This is no man who thus comes in such kingly 
splendor. More likely it is Odin on one of his jour- 
neys, or the Shining Balder come again to earth.” 

As the stranger paused on the outer edge of the 
moat, the sentinels challenged him, — r 

“Who are you who come thus, uninvited and un- 
heralded, to Santen ? ” 

“One who has the right to come,” answered the 
stranger. “ I am Siegfried ; and I have come to see my 
father, the good Siegmund, and my mother, the gentle 
Sigelind.” 

It was indeed Siegfried ; and he had come from his 
kingdom in the Nibelungen Land, with his great fle$t, 
and the noblest of his warriors, to see once more his 
boyhood’s home, and to cheer for a £ime the hearts of 
his loving parents. For he had done many noble 
deeds, and had ruled wisely and well, and he felt that 
he was now not unworthy to be called the son of Sieg- 
mund, and to claim kinship with the heroes of the 
earlier days. 


I 12 


The Story of Siegfried. 


As soon as it was surely known that he who stood 
before the castle-walls was the young prince who had 
been gone so many years, and about whom they had 
heard so many wonderful stories, the drawbridge was 
hastily let down, and the great gates were thrown wide 
open. And Siegfried, whose return had been so long 
wished for, stood once again in his father’s halls. And 
the fear and confusion which had prevailed gave place 
to gladness and gayety ; and all the folk of Santen 
greeted the returned hero with cheers, and joyfully 
welcomed him home. And in the whole world there 
was no one more happy than Siegmund and Sigelind. 

* On the morrow the ten thousand Nibelungen war- 
riors came to Santen ; and Siegmund made for them a 
great banquet, and entertained them in a right kingly 
way, as the faithful liegemen of his son. And Sieg- 
fried, when he had given them rich gifts, sent them 
with the fleet back to Nibelungen Land; for he meant 
to stay for a time with his father and mother at Santen. 

When the harvest had been gathered, and the fruit 
was turning purple and gold, and the moon rode round 
and full in the clear autumn sky, a gay high-tide was 
held for Siegfried’s sake ; and everybody in the Low- 
land country, whether high or low, rich or poor, was 
asked to come to the feast. For seven days, nought 
but unbridled gayety prevailed in Siegmund’s halls. 
On every hand were sounds of music and laughter, 
and sickness and poverty and pain were for the time 
forgotten. A mock-battle was fought on the grassy 


Siegfried's Welcome Home. 


1 13 


plain not far from the town, and the young men vied 
with each other in feats of strength and skill. Never 
before had so many beautiful ladies nor so many brave 
men been seen in Santen. And, when the time of 
jollity and feasting had drawn to an end, Siegmund 
called together all his guests, and gave to each choice 
gifts, — a festal garment, and a horse with rich trap- 
pings. And Queen Sigelind scattered gold without 
stint among the poor, and many were the blessings 
she received. Then all the folk went back to their 
homes with light hearts and happy faces . 1 

The autumn days passed quickly by, and Siegfried 
began to grow weary of the idle, inactive life in his 
father’s halls ; and Greyfell in his stall pined for the 
fresh, free air, and his mane lost all its brightness. 
When Siegmund saw how full of unrest his son had 
become, he said to him, — 

“ Siegfried, I have grown old and feeble, and have no 
longer the strength of my younger days. My kingdom 
would fare better were a younger ruler placed over it. 
Take my crown, I pray you, and let me withdraw from 
kingly cares.” 

But Siegfried would not listen to such an offer. He 
had his own kingdom of the Nibelungens, he said ; and, 
besides, he would never sit on his father’s throne while 
yet that father lived. And although he loved the 
pleasant companionship of his mother, and was de- 
lighted to listen to the wise counsels of his father, the 

1 See Note 20 at the end of this volume. 


The Story of Siegfried . 


114 


craving for action, and the unrest which would not be 
satisfied, grew greater day by day. At last he said, — 

“ I will ride out into the world again. Mayhap I may 
find some other wrong to right, or some other kingdom 
to win. It was thus that my kin, in the golden age long 
past, went faring over the land and sea, and met their 
doom at last. They were not home-abiders, nor tillers 
of the soil ; but the world was their abiding-place, ^.nd 
they tilled the hearts of men.” 

And, when his father and mother heard this, they 
tried no longer to keep him with them ; for they knew 
that it would be more cruel than the keeping of a caged 
bird away from the sunlight. 

“ Only go not into Burgundy,” said his father. “ The 
kings of that country are not friendly to us, and they 
may do you harm. Hagen, the kinsman of the kings, 
and the chief of their fighting-men, is old and crafty, 
and he cannot brook a greater hero than himself.” 

Siegfried laughed. 

“That is all the better reason why I should go to 
Burgundy-land,” he said. 

“Then take ten thousand of my warriors,” said his 
father, “and make yourself master of the land.” 

“No, no!” cried Siegfried. “One kingdom is 
enough for me. My own Nibelungen Land is all I want. 
I will take my twelve Nibelungen knights that I have 
with me here, and we will fare forth to see the world 
and its beauties, and men’s work ; and, when we have 
tired with riding, we will sail across the sea to our Nibe- 
lungen home.” 


The yourney to Burgundy- Land. x 1 5 


ADVENTURE IX. 


THE JOURNEY TO BURGUNDY- LAND. 

For many days before Siegfried’s departure, the 
queen, and all the women of the household, busily 
plied their needles ; and many suits of rich raiment 
made they for the prince and his worthy comrades. At 
length the time for leave-taking came, and all the in- 
mates of the castle went out to the gate to bid the 
heroes God-speed. Siegfried sat upon his noble horse 
Greyfell, and his trusty sword Balmung hung at his 
side. And his Nibelungen knights were mounted on 
lordly steeds, with gold-red saddles and silver trappings 
chased with gold ; and their glittering helmets, and 
burnished shields, and war-coats of polished steel, when 
added to their noble bearing and manlike forms, made 
up a picture of beauty and strength such as no one in 
Santen had ever seen before, or would ever see again. 

“ Only go not into Burgundy-land,” were the parting 
words of Siegmund. 

And all who had come to bid them farewell wept 
bitterly as the young men rode out of the city, and 
were lost to sight in the distance. 


The Story of Siegfried. 


1 16 




“Only go not into Burgundy-land!” These words 
of his father sounded still in Siegfried’s ears ; and he 
turned his horse’s head towards the west and south ; 
and they rode through the level country, and among the* 
fields, from which the corn had already been gathered ; 
and at night they slept in the open air, upon the still 
warm ground. Thus for many days they travelled. 
And they left the Lowlands far behind them, and Bur- 
gundy far to the left of them ; and by and by they 
came to a country covered with high hills, and moun- 
tains that seemed to touch the sky. The crags and 
peaks were covered with snow, and ice lay all summer 
in the -dales and in the deep gorges cleft long time ago 
by giant hands. Here it is that the rivers take their 
beginning. And here it is that the purple grapes and 
the rare fruits of milder climes are found ; for the sun 
shines warm in the valleys and upon the plains, and the 
soil is exceeding rich. It is said that these mountains 
are midway between the cold regions of Jotunheim and 
the glowing gardens of Muspelheim, and that, in ages 
past, they were the scene of many battles between the 
giants who would overwhelm the earth, — these with 
ice, and those with fire. Here and there were frown- 
ing caves dug out of the solid mountain-side ; while 
higher up were great pits, half-filled with ashes, where, 
it is said, the dwarf-folk, when they were mighty on 
earth, had their forges. 

Siegfried stopped not long in this land. Thoughts of 
the Nibelungen Land, and of his faithful liegemen who 


The Journey to Bur gundy- Land. 1 1 7 


waited for his return, began to fill his mind. Then the 
heroes turned their horses’ heads, and rode back to- 
wards the north, following the course of the River 
Rhine, as it wound, here and there, between hills and 
mountains, and through meadows where th'e grass was 
springing up anew, and by the side of woodlands, now 
beginning to be clothed in green again ; for the winter 
was well over, and spring was hastening on apace. 
And as they rode down, the valley of the Rhine they 
came, ere they were aware, into the Burgundian Land, 
and the high towers of King Gunther’s castle rose up 
before them. Then Siegfried remembered again his 
father’s words, — 

“Only go not into Burgundy-land.” 

But it was now too late to go back, and they deter- 
mined to stop for a few days with the Burgundian 
kings. They rode onwards through, the meadows and 
the pleasant farming-lands which lay around the city ; 
and they passed a wonderful garden of roses, said to 
belong to Kriemhild, the peerless princess of the Rhine 
country ; and at last they halted before the castle-gate. 
So lordly was their bearing, that a company of knights 
came out to meet them, and offered, as the custom 
was, to take charge of their horses and their shields. 
But Siegfried asked that they be led at once to King 
Gunther and his brothers ; and, as their stay would 
not be long, they said they would have no need to 
part with horses or with shields. Then they followed 
their guides, and rode through the great gateway, and 


1 18 


The Story of Siegfried . 


into the open court, and halted beneath the palace- 
windows. 

And the three kings — Gunther, Gernot, and Gisel- 
her — and their young sister, the matchless Kriemhild, 
looked down upon them from above, and hazarded 
many guesses as to who the lordly strangers might be. 
And all the inmates of the castle stood at the doors and 
windows, or gathered in curious groups in the court- 
yard, and gazed with open-mouthed wonder upon the 
rich armor and noble bearing of the thirteen heroes. 
But all eyes were turned most towards Siegfried and 
the wondrous steed Greyfell. Some of the knights 
whispered that this was Odin, and some that it was 
Thor, the thunderer, making a tour through Rhineland. 
But others said that Thor was never known to ride on 
horseback, and that the youth who sat on the milk- 
white steed was little like the ancient Odin. And the 
ladies who looked down upon the heroes from the pal- 
ace windows said that this man could be no other than 
the Sunbright Balder, come from his home in Breida- 
blik, to breathe gladness and sunshine into the hearts 
and lives of men. 

Only one among all the folk in the castle knew who 
the hero was who had ridden thus boldly into the heart 
of Burgundy-land. That one was Hagen, the uncle 
of the three kings, and the doughtiest warrior in all 
Rhineland. With a dark frown and a sullen scowl he 
looked out upon the little party, and already plotted in 
his mind how he might outwit, and bring to grief, the 


The Journey to Bur gundy -Land. 


119 


youth whose name and fame were known the whole 
world over. For his evil mind loved deeds of dark- 
ness, and hated the pure and good. By his side, at 
an upper window, stood Kriemhild, the peerless maiden 
of the Rhine ; but her thoughts were as far from his 
thoughts as the heaven-smile on her face was unlike 
the sullen scowl on his grim visage. As the moon in 
her calm beauty is sometimes seen in the sky, riding 
gloriously by the side of a dark thunder-cloud, — the 
one more lovely, the other more dreadful, by their very 
nearness, — so seemed Kriemhild standing there by the 
side of Hagen. 

“Think you not, dear uncle,” she said, *“ that this is 
the Shining Balder come to earth again ? ” 

“The gods have forgotten the earth,” answered 
Hagen in surly tones. “ But if, indeed, this should 
be Balder, we shall, without doubt, find another blind 
archer, who, with another sprig of mistletoe, will send 
him back again to Hela.” 

“What do you mean ? ” asked Kriemhild earnestly. 

But old Hagen said not a word in answer. He 
quietly withdrew from the room, and left the maiden 
and her mother, the good dame Ute, alone. 

“ What does uncle Hagen mean by his strange 
words ? and why does he look so sullen and angry ? ” 
asked Kriemhild. 

“ Indeed, I know not,” answered the queen-mother. 
“ His ways are dark, and he is cunning. I fear that 
evil will yet come to our house through him.” 


120 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Meanwhile the three kings and their chiefs had gone 
into the courtyard to greet their unknown guests. 
Very kindly did Gunther welcome the strangers to his 
home ; and then he courteously asked them whence 
they came, and what the favors they wished. 

“ I have heard,” answered Siegfried, “ that many 
knights and heroes live in this land, and that they are 
the bravest and the proudest in the world. I, too, am 
a knight ; and some time, if I am worthy, I shall be a 
king. But first I would make good my right to rule 
over land and folk; and for this reason I have come 
hither. If, indeed, you are as brave as all the world 
says you are, ride now to the meadows with us, and let 
us fight man to man ; and he who wins shall rule over 
the lands of both. We will wager our kingdom and 
our heads against yours.” 

King Gunther and his brothers were amazed at this 
unlooked-for speech. 

“ Such is not the way to try where true worth lies ! ” 
they cried. “ We have no cause of quarrel with you, 
neither have you any cause of quarrel with us. Why, 
then, should we spill each other’s blood ? ” 

Again Siegfried urged them to fight with him ; but 
they flatly refused. And Gernot said, — 

“The Burgundian kings have never wished to rule 
over folk that are not their own. Much less would 
they gain new lands at the cost of their best heroes’ 
blood. And they have never taken part in needless 
quarrels. Good men in Burgundy are worth more than 


The Journey to Bur gundy- Land. 


I 2 I 


the broadest lands, and we will not hazard the one for 
the sake of gaining the other. No, we will not fight. 
But we greet you most heartily as our friends and 
guests.” 

All the others joined in urging Siegfried and his 
comrades to dismount from their steeds, and partake 
of the cheer with which it was their use to entertain 
strangers. And at last he yielded to their kind wishes, 
and alighted from Greyfell, and, grasping King Gun- 
ther’s hand, lie made himself known. And there was 
great rejoicing in the castle and throughout all the 
land ; and the most sumptuous rooms were set apart 
for the use of Siegfried and his Nibelungen knights ; 
and a banquet was at once made ready ; and no pains 
were spared in giving the strangers a right hearty wel- 
come to the kingly halls of Burgundy. But Hagen, 
dark-browed and evil-eyed, stood silent and alone in 
his chamber, and waited his time. 


122 


The Story of Siegfried. 


ADVENTURE X. 


KRIEMHILD’S DREAM. 

4r 

Early on the morrow morning, ere the sun had 
risen high, the peerless Kriemhild walked alone amid 
the sweet-scented bowers of her rose-garden. The 
dewdrops still hung thick on flower and thorn, and the 
wild birds carolled their songs of merry welcome to the 
new-born day. Every thing seemed to have put on its 
handsomest colors, and to be using its sweetest voice, 
on purpose to gladden the heart of the maiden. But 
Kriemhild was not happy. There was a shadow on 
her face and a sadness in her eye that the beauty and 
the music of that morning could not drive away. 

“ What ails thee, my child ? ” asked her mother, 
Queen Ute, who met her. “ Why so sad, as if thy 
heart were heavy with care ? Has any one spoken 
unkindly, or has aught grievous happened to thee ? ” 

“ Oh, no, dearest mother ! ” said Kriemhild. “ It 
is nothing that saddens me, — nothing but a foolish 
dream. I cannot forget it.” 

“Tell me the dream,” said her mother: “mayhap it 
betokens something that the Norns have written for 
thee.” 


Kriemhild' s Dream . 


123 


Then Kriemhild answered, “ I dreamed that I sat at 
my window, high up in the eastern tower ; and the sun 
shone bright in the heavens, and the air was mild and 
warm, and I thought of nought but the beauty and the 
gladness of the hour. Then in the far north I saw a 
falcon flying. At first he seemed but a black speck in 
the sky ; but swiftly he drew nearer and nearer, until 
at last he flew in at the open window, and I caught him 
in my arms. Oh, how strong and beautiful he was ! 
His wings were purple and gold, and his eyes were as 
bright as the sun. Oh, a glorious prize I thought him ! 
and I held him on my wrist, and spoke kind words to 
him. Then suddenly, from out of the sky above, two 
eagles dashed in at the window, and snatched my 
darling from me, and they tore him in pieces before 
my eyes, and laughed at my distress.” 

“Thy dream,” said Queen Ute, “is easy to explain. 
A king shall come from the north-land, and a mighty 
king shall he be. And he shall seek thee, and love 
thee, and wed thee, and thy heart shall overflow with 
bliss. The two eagles are the foes who shall slay him ; 
but who they may be, or whence they may come, is 
known only to the Norns.” 

“ But I slept, and I dreamed again,” said Kriemhild. 
“This time I sat in the meadow, and three women 
came to me. And they span, and they wove a woof 
more fair than any I have ever seen. And methought 
that another woof was woven, which crossed the first, 
and yet it was no whit less beautiful. Then the women 


124 


The Story of Siegfried. 


who wove the woofs cried out, ‘ Enough ! ’ And a fair 
white arm reached out and seized the rare fabrics, and 
tore them into shreds. And then the sky was over- 
cast, and the thunder began to roll and the lightning 
to flash, and red fires gleamed, and fierce wolves 
howled around me, and I awoke.” 

“This dream,” said Queen Ute, “is more than I can 
understand. Only this I can see and explain, that in 
the dim future the woof of another’s fate shall cross 
thy own. But trouble not thyself because of that 
which shall be. While yet the sun shines for thee, 
and the birds sing, and the flowers shed their sweet 
perfume, it is for thee to rejoice and be light-hearted. 
What the Norns have woven is woven, and it cannot 
be undone.” 1 


1 See Note 21 at the end of this volume. 


How the Spring-Time came . 


125 


ADVENTURE XI. 


HOW THE SPRING-TIME CAME. 

Siegfried, when he came to Gunther’s castle, 
thought of staying there but a few days only. But 
the king and his brothers made every thing so pleas- 
ant for .their honored guest, that weeks slipped by un- 
noticed, and still the hero remained in Burgundy. 

Spring had fairly come, and the weeping April 
clouds had given place to the balmy skies of May. 
The young men and maidens, as was their wont, made 
ready for the May-day games ; and Siegfried and his 
knights were asked to take part in the sport. 

On the smooth greensward, which they called 
Nanna’s carpet, beneath the shade of ash-trees and 
elms, he who played Old Winter’s part lingered with 
his few attendants. These were clad in the dull gray 
garb which becomes the sober season of the year, and 
were decked with yellow straw, and dead, brown leaves. 
Out of the wood came the May-king and his followers, 
clad in the gayest raiment, and decked with evergreens 
and flowers. With staves and willow-withes they fell 
upon Old Winter’s champions, and tried to drive them 


126 


The Story of Siegfried. 


from the sward. In friendly fray they fought, and 
many mishaps fell to both parties. But at length the 
May-king won ; and grave Winter, battered and bruised, 
was made prisoner, and his followers were driven from 
the field. Then, in merry sport, sentence was passed 
on the luckless wight, for he was found guilty of killing 
the flowers, and of covering the earth with hoar-frost ; 
and he was doomed to a long banishment from music 
and the sunlight. The laughing party then set up a 
wooden likeness of the worsted winter-king, and pelted 
it with stones and turf ; and when they were tired they 
threw it down, and put out its eyes, and cast it into the 
river. And then a pole, decked with wild-flowers and 
fresh green leaves, was planted in the midst of the 
sward, and all joined in merry dance around it. And 
they chose the most beautiful of all the maidens to be 
the Queen of May, and they crowned her with a wreath 
of violets and yellow buttercups ; and* for a whole day 
all yielded fealty to her, and did her bidding. 

It was thus that May Day came in Burgundy. And 
in the evening, when the party were seated in King 
Gunther’s hall, Siegfried, at the command of the May- 
queen, — who was none other than Kriemhild the peer- 
less, — amused them by telling the story of 

IDUN AND HER APPLES. 

It is a story that Bragi told while at the feast in 
Aigir’s hall. Idun is Bragi’s wife. Very handsome 
is she; but the beauty of her face is by no means 


How the Spring- Time came. 


127 


greater than the goodness of her heart. Right atten- 
tive is she to every duty, and her words and thoughts 
are always worthy and wise. A long time ago the 
good Asa-folk who dwell in heaven-towering Asgard, 
knowing how trustworthy Idun was, gave into her 
keeping a treasure which they would not have placed 
in the hands of any other person. This treasure was 
a box of apples, and Idun kept the golden key safely 
fastened to her girdle. You ask me why the gods 
should prize a box of apples so highly? I will tell 
you. 

Old age, you know, spares none, not even Odin 
and his Asa-folk. They all grow old and gray ; and, if 
there were no cure for age, they would become feeble 
and toothless and blind, deaf, tottering, and weak- 
minded. The apples which Idun guarded so carefully 
were the priceless boon of youth. Whenever the gods 
felt old age coming on, they went to her, and she gave 
them of her fruit ; and, when they had tasted, they 
grew young and strong and handsome again. Once, 
however, they came near losing the apples, — or losing 
rather Idun and her golden key, without which no one 
could ever open the box. 

In those early days Odin delighted to come down 
now and then from his high home above the clouds, 
and to wander, disguised, among the woods and moun- 
tains, and by the seashore, and in wild desert places. 
For nothing pleases him . more than to commune with 
Nature as she is found in the loneliness of vast soli- 


128 


The Story of Siegfried. 


tudes, or in the boisterous uproar of the elements. 
Once on a time he took with him his friends Hoenir 
and Loki ; and they rambled many days among the icy 
cliffs, and along the barren shores, of the great frozen 
sea. In that country there was no game, and no fish 
was found in the cold waters ; and the three wander- 
ers, as they had brought no food with them, became 
very hungry. Late in the afternoon of the seventh 
day, they reached some pasture-lands belonging to the 
giant Hymer, and saw a herd of the giant’s cattle 
browsing upon the short grass which grew in the shel- 
tered nooks among the hills. 

“Ah!” cried Loki: “after fasting for a week, we 
shall now have food in abundance. Let us kill and 
eat.” 

So saying, he hurled a sharp stone at the fattest of 
Hymer’s cows, and killed her ; and the three quickly 
dressed the choicest pieces of flesh for their supper. 
Then Loki gathered twigs and dry grass, and kindled a 
blazing fire ; Hoenir filled the pot with water from 
melted ice ; and Odin threw into it the bits of tender 
meat. But, make the fire as hot as they would, the 
water would not boil, and the flesh would not cook. 

All night long the supperless three sat hungry around 
the fire ; and, every time they peeped into the kettle, the 
meat was as raw and gustless as before. Morning came, 
but no breakfast. And all day Loki kept stirring the 
fire, and Odin and Hoenir waited hopefully but impa- 
tiently. When the sun again went down, the flesh 


How the Spring-Time came . 


129 


was still uncooked, and their supper seemed no nearer 
ready than it was the night before. As they were 
about yielding to despair, they heard a noise overhead; 
and, looking up, they saw a huge gray eagle sitting on 
the dead branch of an oak. 

“Ha, ha!” cried the bird. “ You are pretty fellows 
indeed ! To sit hungry by the fire a night and a day, 
rather than eat raw flesh, becomes you well. Do but 
give me my share of it as it is, and I warrant you the 
rest shall boil, and you shall have a fat supper.” 

“Agreed,” answered Loki eagerly. “Come down 
and get your share.” 

The eagle waited for no second asking. Down he 
swooped right over the blazing fire, and snatched not 
only the eagle’s share, but also what the Lybians call 
the lion’s share ; that is, he grasped in his strong 
talons the kettle, with all the meat in it, and, flapping 
his huge wings, slowly rose into the air, carrying his 
booty with him. The three gods were astonished. Loki 
was filled with anger. He seized a long pole, upon the 
end of which a sharp hook was fixed, and struck at the 
treacherous bird. The hook stuck fast in the eagle’s 
back, and Loki could not loose his hold of the other 
end of the pole. The great bird soared high above the 
tree-tops, and over the hills, and carried the astonished 
mischief-maker with him. 

But it was no eagle. It was no bird that had thus 
outwitted the hungry gods : it was the giant Old Win- 
ter, clothed in his eagle-plumage. Over the lonely 


130 


The Story of Siegfried. 


woods, and the snow-crowned mountains, and the frozen 
sea, he flew, dragging the helpless Loki through tree- 
tops, and over jagged rocks, scratching and bruising his 
body, and almost tearing his arms from his shoulders. 
At last he alighted on the craggy top of an iceberg, 
where the storm-winds shrieked, and the air was filled 
with driving snow. As soon as Loki could speak, he 
begged the giant to carry him back to his comrades, — 
Odin and Hoenir. 

“ On one condition only will I carry you back,” an- 
swered Old Winter. “ Swear to me that you will betray 
into my hands dame Idun and her golden key.” . 

Loki asked no questions, but gladly gave the oath ; 
and the giant flew back with him across the sea, and 
dropped him, torn and bleeding and lame, by the side of 
the fire, where Odin and Hoenir still lingered. And 
the three made all haste to leave that cheerless place, 
and returned to Odin’s glad home in Asgard. 

Some weeks after this, Loki, the Prince of Mischief- 
makers, went to Bragi’s house to see Idun. He found 
her busied with her household cares, not thinking of a 
visit from any of the gods. 

“ I have come, good dame,” said he, “ to taste your 
apples again ; for I feel old age coming on apace.” 

Idun was astonished. 

“Yoif are not looking old,” she answered. “There 
is not a single gray hair upon your head, and not a 
wrinkle on your brow. If it were not for that scar upon 
your cheek, and the arm which you carry in a sling, you 


How the Spring-Time came. 


T 3 1 


would look as stout and as well as I have ever seen 
you. Besides, I remember that it was only a year ago 
when you last tasted of my fruit. Is it possible that a 
single winter should make you old ? ” 

“ A single winter has made me very lame and feeble, 
at least,” said Loki. “I have been scarcely able to walk 
about since my return from the North. Another winter 
without a taste of your apples will be the death of me.” 

Then the kind-hearted Idun, when she saw that Loki 
was really lame, went to the box, and opened it with her 
golden key, and gave him one of the precious apples to 
taste. He took the. fruit in his hand, bit it, and gave it 
back to the good dame. She put it in its place again, 
closed the lid, and locked it with her usual care. 

“Your apples are not so good as they used to be,” 
said Loki, making a very wry face. “ Why don’t you 
fill your box with fresh fruit ? ” 

Idun was amazed. Her apples were supposed to be 
always fresh, — fresher by far than any that grow now- 
adays. None of the gods had ever before complained 
about them ; and she told Loki so. 

“Very well,” said he. “I see you do not believe me, 
and that you mean to feed us on your sour, withered 
apples, when we might as well have golden fruit. If 
you were not so bent on having your own way, I could 
tell you where you might fill your box with the choicest 
of apples, such as Odin loves. I saw them in the forest 
over yonder, hanging ripe on the trees. But women 
will always have their own way ; and you must have 


i3 2 


The Story of Siegfried. 


yours, even though you do feed the gods on withered 
apples.” 

So saying, and without waiting to hear an answer, he 
limped out at the door, and was soon gone from sight. 

Idun thought * long and anxiously upon the words 
which Loki had spoken ; and, the more she thought, 
the more she felt troubled. If her husband, the wise 
Bragi, had been at home, what would she not have 
given ? He would have understood the mischief- 
maker’s cunning. But he had gone on a long journey 
to the South, singing in Nature’s choir, and painting 
Nature’s landscapes, and she would not see him again 
until the return of spring. At length she opened the 
box, and looked at the fruit. The apples were cer- 
tainly fair and round : she could not see a wrinkle or 
a blemish on any of them; their color was the same 
golden-red, — like the sky at dawn of a summer’s day; 
yet she thought there must be something wrong about 
them. She took up one of the apples, and tasted it. 
She fancied that it really was sour, and she hastily put 
it back, and locked the box again. 

“ He said that he had seen better apples than these 
growing in the woods,” said she to herself. “ I half 
believe that he told the truth, although everybody 
knows that he is not always trustworthy. I think I 
shall go to the forest and see for myself, at any rate.” 

So she donned her cloak and hood, and, with a bas- 
ket on her arm, left the house, and walked rapidly away, 
along the road which led to the forest. It was much 


How the Spring-Time came. 


133 


farther than she had thought, and the sun was almost 
down when she reached the edge of the wood. But no 
apple-trees were there. Tall oaks stretched their bare 
arms up towards the sky, as if praying for help. There 
were thorn-trees and brambles everywhere ; but there 
was no fruit, neither were there any flowers, nor even 
green leaves. The Frost-giants had been there. 

Idun was about to turn her footsteps homewards, 
when she heard a wild shriek in the tree-tops over her 
head ; and, before she could look up, she felt herself 
seized in the eagle-talons of Old Winter. Struggle as 
she would, she could not free herself. High up, over 
wood and stream, the giant carried her; and then he 
flew swiftly away with her, towards his home in the 
chill North-land ; and, when morning came, poor Idun 
found herself in an ice-walled castle in the cheerless 
country of the giants. But she was glad to know that 
the precious box was safely locked at home, and that 
the golden key was still at her girdle. 

Time passed ; and I fear that Idun would have been 
forgotten by all, save her husband Bragi, had not the 
gods begun to feel the need of her apples. Day after 
day they came to Idun’s house, hoping to find the good 
dame and her golden key at home ; and each day they 
went away some hours older than when they had come. 
Bragi was beside himself with grief, and his golden 
harp was unstrung and forgotten. No one had seen 
the missing Idun since the day when Loki had visited 
her, and none could guess what had become of her. 


134 


The Story of Siegfried . 


The heads of all the folk grew white with age ; deep 
furrows were ploughed in their faces ; their eyes grew 
dim, and their hearing failed ; their hands trembled ; 
their limbs became palsied ; their feet tottered ; and all 
feared that Old Age would bring Death in his train. 

Then Bragi and Thor questioned Loki very sharply ; 
and when he felt that he, too, was growing old and 
feeble, he regretted the mischief he had done, and told 
them how he had decoyed Idun into Old Winter’s 
clutches. The gods were very angry ; and Thor threat- 
ened to crush Loki with his hammer, if he did not at 
once bring Idun safe home again. 

So Loki borrowed the falcon-plumage of Freyja, the 
goddess of love, and with it flew to the country of 
the giants. When he reached Old Winter’s castle, he 
found the good dame Idun shut up in the prison-tower, 
and bound with fetters of ice ; but the giant himself 
was on the frozen sea, herding old Hymer’s cows. 
And Loki quickly broke the bonds that held Idun, and 
led her out of her prison-house ; and then he shut her 
up in a magic nut-shell which he held between his 
claws, and flew with the speed of the wind back towards 
the South-land and the home of the gods. But Old 
Winter coming home, and learning what had been 
done, donned his eagle-plumage and fallowed swiftly 
in pursuit. 

Bragi and Thor, anxiously gazing into the sky, saw 
Loki, in Freyja’s falcon-plumage, speeding 'homewards, 
with the nut-shell in his talons, and Old Winter, in 


How the Spring-Time came. 


135 


his eagle-plumage, dashing after in sharp pursuit. 
Quickly they gathered chips and slender twigs, and 
placed them high upon the castle-wall ; and, when 
Loki with his precious burden had flown past, they 
touched fire to the dry heap, and the flames blazed up 
to the sky, and caught Old Winter’s plumage, as, close 
behind the falcon, he blindly pressed. And his wings 
were scorched in the flames ; and he fell helpless to the 
ground, and was slain within the castle-gates. Loki 
slackened his speed ; and, when he reached Bragi’s house, 
he dropped the nut-shell softly before the door. As it 
touched the ground, it gently opened, and Idun, radiant 
with smiles, and clothed in gay attire, stepped forth, and 
greeted her husband and the waiting gods. And the 
heavenly music of Bragi’s long-silent harp welcomed 
her home ; and she took the golden key from her girdle, 
and unlocked the box, and gave of her apples to the 
aged company ; and, when they had tasted, their youth 
was renewed . 1 

It is thus with the seasons and their varied changes. 
The gifts of Spring are youth and jollity, and renewed 
strength ; and the music of air and water and all 
things, living and lifeless, follow in her train. The 
desolating Winter plots to steal her from the earth, and 
the Summer-heat deserts and betrays her. Then the 
music of Nature is hushed, and all creatures pine in 
sorrow for her absence, and the world seems dying of 
white Old Age. But at length the Summer-heat re- 


1 See Note 22 at the end of this volume. 


136 


The Story of Siegfried . 


pents, and frees her from her prison-house ; and the icy 
fetters with which Old Winter bound her are melted 
in the beams of the returning sun, and the earth is 
young again. 


The War with the North- Kings. 


137 


ADVENTURE XII. 


m 

THE WAR WITH THE NORTH-KINGS. 

So swiftly and so pleasantly the days went by, that 
weeks lengthened into months, and the spring-time 
passed, and the summer came, and still Siegfried lin- 
gered in Burgundy with his kind friends. The time 
was spent in all manner of joyance, — in hunting the 
deer in the deep oak-woods, in riding over the daisied 
meadows or among the fields of corn, in manly games 
and sports, in music and dancing, in feasting and in 
pleasant talk. And of all the noble folk who had ever 
sat at Gunther’s table, or hunted in the Burgundian 
woods, none were so worthy or so fair as the proud 
young lord of the Nibelungens. 

One day in early autumn a party of strange knights 
rode up to the castle, and asked to speak with the 
Burgundian kings. They were led straightway into 
the great hall ; and Gunther and his brothers welcomed 
them, as was their wont, right heartily, and asked them 
from what country they had come, and what was their 
errand. 

“We come,” they -answered, “from the North coun- 


138 


The Story of Siegfried. 


try ; and we bring word from our lords and kings, Leu- 
diger and Leudigast.” 

“ And what would our kingly neighbors say to us ? ” 
asked Gunther. 

Then the strangers said that their lords had become 
E very angry with the Burgundian kings, and that they 
meant, within twelve weeks from that da)j, to come with 
a great army, and lay the country waste, and besiege 
their city and castle. All this they- had sworn to do 
unless the Burgundians would make peace with them 
upon such terms as Leudiger and Leudigast should 
please to grant. 

When Gunther and his brothers heard this, they were 
struck with dismay. But they ordered the messengers 
to be well cared for and handsomely entertained within 
the palace until the morrow, at which time they should 
have the Burgundians’ answer. All the noblest knights 
and earl-folk were called together, and the matter was 
laid before them. 

“ What answer shall we send to our rude neighbors 
of the North ? ” asked Gunther. 

Gernot and the young Giselher declared at once for 
war. Old Hagen and other knights, whose prudence 
was at least equal to their bravery, said but little. It 
was known, that, in the armies of the North-kings, there 
were at least forty thousand soldiers ; but in Burgundy 
there were not more than thirty thousand fighting-men, 
all told. The North-kings’ forces were already equipped, 
and ready to march ; but the Burgundians could by no 


The War with the North-Kings. 


139 


means raise and arm any considerable body of men in 
the short space of twelve weeks. It would be the part 
of wisdom to delay, and to see what terms could best 
be made with their enemies. Such were the prudent 
counsels of the older knights, but Gernot and the 
young chief Volker would not listen to such words. 

“The Burg 'dians are not cowards,” said they. “We 
have never been foiled in battle ; never have we been 
the vassals of a stranger. Why, then, shall we cringe 
and cower t before such men as Leudigerand Leudigast?” 

Then Hagen answered, “ Let us ask our friend and 
guest Siegfried. Let us learn what he thinks about 
this business. Everybody knows that he is as wise in 
council as he is brave in the field. We will abide by 
what he says.” 

But Gunther and Gernot and the young Giselher 
were unwilling to do this ; for it was not their custom 
to annoy their guests with questions which should be 
allowed to trouble themselves alone. And the kings and 
their counsellors went out of the council-chamber^ each 
to ponder in silence upon the troublesome question. 

As Gunther, with downcast head and troubled brow, 
walked thoughtfully through the great hall, he unex- 
pectedly met Siegfried. 

“ What evil tidings have you heard ? ” asked the 
prince, surprised at the strange mien of the king. 
“What has gone amiss, that should cause such looks 
of dark perplexity?” 

“That is a matter which I can tell only to friends 
long tried and true,” answered Gunther. 


140 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Siegfried w^s surprised * and hurt by these words; 
and he cried out, — 

“ What more would Gunther ask of me that I might 
prove my friendship ? Surely I have tried to merit his 
esteem and trust. Tell me what troubles you, and I 
will further show myself to be your friend both tried 
and true.” 

Then Gunther was ashamed of the words he had 
spoken to his guest ; and he took Siegfried into his own 
chamber, and told him all ; and he asked him what 
answer they should send on the morrow to the over- 
bearing North-kings. 

“Tell them we will fight,” answered Siegfried. “I 
myself will lead your warriors to the fray. Never shall 
it be said that my friends have suffered wrong, and I 
not tried to help them.” 

Then he and Gunther talked over the plans which 
they would follow. And the clouds fled at once from 
the brow of the king, and he was no longer troubled 
or doubtful ; for he believed in Siegfried. 

The next morning the heralds of the North-kings 
were brought again before Gunther and his brothers ; 
and they were told to carry thi^word to their mas- 
ters, — 

“The Burgundians will fight. They will make no 
terms with their enemies, save such as they make of 
their own free-will.” 

Then the heralds were loaded with costly presents, 
and a company of knights and warriors went with them 


The War with the North-Kings. 


141 


to the border-line of Burgundy ; and, filled with wonder 
at what they had seen, they hastened back to their liege 
lords, and told all that had happened to them. And 
Leudiger and Leudigast were very wroth when they 
heard the answer which the Burgundians had sent to 
them ; but, when they learned that the noble Siegfried 
was at Gunther’s castle, they shook their heads, and 
seemed to feel more doubtful of success. 

Many and busy were the preparations for war, and 
in a very few days all things were in readiness for the 
march northwards. It was settled that Siegfried with 
his twelve Nibelungen chiefs, and a thousand picked 
men, should go forth to battle against their boastful 
enemies. The dark-browed Hagen, as he had always 
done, rode at the head of the company, and by his side 
was Siegfried on the noble horse Greyfell. Next came 
Gernot and the bold chief Volker, bearing the standard, 
upon which a golden dragon was engraved ; then fol- 
lowed Dankwart . and Ortwin, and the twelve worthy 
comrades of Siegfried ; and then the thousand warriors, 
the bravest in all Rhineland, mounted on impatient 
steeds, and clad in bright steel armor, with broad 
shields, and plumed helmets, and burnished swords, 
and sharp-pointed spears. And all rode proudly out 
through the great castle-gate. And Gunther and the 
young Giselher and all the fair ladies of the court bade 
them God-speed. 

The little army passed through the forest, and went 
northwards, until, on the fifth day, they reached the 


142 


The Story of Siegfried. 


boundaries of Saxon Land. And Siegfried gave spur to 
his horse Greyfell, and, leaving the little army behind 
him, hastened forwards to see where the enemy was 
encamped. As he reached the top of a high hill, he 
saw the armies of the North-kings resting carelessly in 
the valley beyond. Knights, mounted on their horses, 
rode hither and thither : the soldiers sauntered lazily 
among the trees, or slept upon the grass ; arms were 
thrown about in great disorder, or stacked in piles near 
the smoking camp-fires. No one dreamed of danger ; 
but all supposed that the Burgundians were still at 
home, and would never dare to attack a foe so numer- 
ous and so strong. 

For it was, indeed, a mighty army which Siegfried 
saw before him. Full forty thousand men were there; 
and they not only filled the valley, but spread over the 
hills beyond, and far to the right and left. 

While he stood at the top of the hill, and gazed upon 
this sight, a warrior, who had spied him from below, 
rode up, and paused before him. Like two black thun- 
der-clouds, with lightning flashing between, the two 
knights stood facing each other, and casting wrathful 
glances from beneath their visors. Then each spurred 
his horse, and charged with fury upon the other ; and 
the heavy lances of both were broken in shivers upon 
the opposing shields. Then, quick as thought, they 
turned and drew their swords, and hand to hand they 
fought. But soon Siegfried, by an unlooked-for stroke, 
sent his enemy’s sword flying from him, broken in a 


The War with the North- Kings. 


143 


dozen pieces, and by a sudden movement he threw 
him from his horse. The heavy shield of the fallen 
knight was no hinderance to the quick strokes of Sieg- 
fried’s sword ; and his glittering armor, soiled by the 
mud into which he had been thrown, held him down. 
He threw up his hands, and begged for mercy. 

“ I am Leudigast the king ! ” he cried. “ Spare my 
life. I am your prisoner.” 

Siegfried heard the prayer of the discomfited king; 
and, lifting him from the ground, he Jielped him to 
remount his charger. But, while he was doin^ this, 
thirty warriors, who had seen the combat from below, 
came dashing up the hill to the rescue of their liege- 
lord. Siegfried faced about with his horse Greyfell, 
and quietly waited for their onset. But, as they drew 
near, they were so awed by the noble bearing and 
grand proportions of the hero, and so astonished at 
sight of the sunbeam mane of Greyfell, and the cold 
glitter of the blade Balmung, that in sudden fright 
they stopped, then turned, and fled in dismay down 
the sloping hillside, nor paused until they were safe 
among their friends. 

In the mean while Leudiger, the other king, seeing 
what was going on at the top of the hill, had caused an 
alarm to be sounded ; and all his hosts had hastily 
arranged themselves in battle-array. At the same time 
Hagen and Gernot, and their little army of heroes, 
hove in sight, and came quickly to Siegfried’s help, 
and the dragon-banner was planted upon the crest of 


144 


The Story of Siegfried. 


the hill. The captive king, Leudigast, was taken to the 
rear, and a guard was placed over him. The cham- 
pions of the Rhine formed in line, and faced their foes. 
The great army of the North-kings moved boldly up 
the hill : and, when they saw how few were the Bur- 
gundians, they laughed and cheered most lustily ; for 
they felt that the odds was in their favor — and forty 
to one is no small odds. 

Then Siegfried and his twelve comrades, and Hagen 
and the thousand Burgundian knights, dashed upon 
them with the fury of the whirlwind. The lances flew 
so thick in the air, that they hid the sun from sight ; 
swords flashed on every side ; the sound of clashing 
steel, and horses’ hoofs, and soldiers’ shouts, filled 
earth and sky with a horrid din. And soon the boast- 
ful foes of the Burgundians were everywhere worsted, 
and thrown into disorder. Siegfried dashed hither and 
thither, from one part of the field to another, in search 
of King Leudiger. Thrice he cut his way through the 
ranks, and at last he met face to face the one for whom 
he sought. 

King Leudiger saw the flashing sunbeams that 
glanced from Greyfell’s mane, he saw the painted 
crown upon the hero’s broad shield, and then he felt 
the fearful stroke of the sword Balmung, as it clashed 
against his own, and cut it clean in halves. He 
dropped his weapons, raised his visor, and gave him- 
self up as a prisoner. s> 

“Give up the fight, my brave fellows,” he cried. 


145 


The War with the North-Kings. 


“This is Siegfried the brave, the Prince of the Low- 
lands, and the Lord of Nibelungen Land. It were fool- 
ishness to fight against him. Save yourselves as best 
you can.” 

This was the signal for a frightful panic. All turned 
and fled. Each thought of nothing but his own safety ; 
and knights and warriors, horsemen and foot-soldiers, 
in one confused mass, throwing shields and weapons 
here and there, rushed wildly down the hill, and 
through the valley and ravines, and sought, as best 
they could, their way homeward. The Burgundian 
heroes were the masters of the field, and on the morrow 
they turned their faces joyfully towards Rhineland. 
And all joined in saying that to Siegfried was due the 
praise for this wonderful victory which they had gained. 

Heralds had been sent on the fleetest horses to carry 
the glad news to Burgundy ; and when, one morning, 
they dashed into the court-yard of the castle, great was 
the anxiety to know what tidings they brought. And 
King Gunther, and the young Giselher, and the peer- 
less Kriemhild, came out to welcome them, and eagerly 
to inquire what had befallen the heroes. With breath- 
less haste the heralds told the story of all that had 
happened. 

“And how fares our brother Gernot?” asked Kriem- 
hild. 

“ There is no happier man on earth,” answered the 
herald. “In truth, there was not a coward among 
them all ; but the bravest of the brave was Siegfried. 


146 


The Story of Siegfried. 


He it was who took the two kings prisoners ; and 
everywhere in the thickest of the fight there was 
Siegfried. And now our little army is on its homeward 
march, with a thousand prisoners, and large numbers 
of the enemy’s wounded. Had it not been for the 
brave Siegfried, no such victory could have been won.” 

In a few days the Rhine champions reached their 
home. And gayly were the castle and all the houses in 
the city decked in honor of them. And all those who 
had been left behind went out to meet them as they 
came down from the forest-road, and drew near to the 
castle. And the young girls strewed flowers in their 
path, and hung garlands upon their horses ; and music 
and song followed the heroes into the city, and through 
the castle-gate. 

When they reached the palace, the two prisoner 
kings, Leudiger and Leudigast, were loosed from their 
bonds, and handsomely entertained at Gunther’s table. 
And the Burgundian kings assured them that they 
should be treated as honored guests, and have the free- 
dom of the court and castle, if they would pledge 
themselves not to try to escape from Burgundy until 
terms of peace should be agreed upon. This pledge 
they gladly gave, and rich apartments in the palace 
were assigned for their use. Like favors were shown 
to all the prisoners, according to their rank; and the 
wounded were kindly cared for. And the Burgundians 
made ready for a gay high-tide, — a glad festival of 
rejoicing, to be held at the next full moon. 


The War with the North-Kings. 


147 


When the day drew near which had been set for this 
high-tide, the folk from all parts of Rhineland began 
to flock towards the city. They came in companies, 
with music and laughter, and the glad songs of the 
spring-time. And all the knights were mounted on 
gallant horses caparisoned with gold-red saddles, from 
which hung numbers of tinkling silver bells. As they 
rode up the sands towards the castle-gate, with their 
dazzling shields upon their saddle-bows, and their gay 
and many-colored banners floating in the air, King 
Gernot and the young Giselher, with the noblest 
knights of the fortress, went courteously out to meet 
them ; and the friendly greetings which were offered 
by the two young kings won the hearts of all. Thirty 
and two princes and more than five thousand warriors 
came as bidden guests. The city and castle were 
decked in holiday attire, and all the people in the land 
gave themselves up to enjoyment. The sick and the 
wounded, who until now had thought themselves at 
death’s door, forgot their ailments and their pains as 
they heard the shouts of joy and the peals of music 
in the streets. 

In a green field outside of the city walls, arrange- 
ments had been made for the games, and galleries and 
high stages had been built for the lookers-on. Here 
jousts and tournaments were held, and the knights *!and 
warriors engaged in trials of strength and skill. When 
King Gunther saw with what keen enjoyment both his 
own people and his guests looked upon these games, 


148 


The Story of Siegfried. 


and took part in the gay festivities, he asked of those 
around him, — 

“ What more can we do to heighten the pleasures of 
the day ? ” 

And one of his counsellors answered, — 

“My lord, the ladies of the court, and the little 
children, pine in silence in the sunless rooms of the 
palace, while we enjoy the free air and light of heaven, 
the music, and the gay scenes before us. There is 
nothing wanting to make this day’s joy complete, save 
the presence of our dear- ones to share these pleasures 
with us.” 

Gunther was delighted to hear these words ; and he 
sent a herald to the palace, and invited all the ladies of 
the court and all the children to come out and view the 
games, and join in the general gladness. 

When Dame Ute heard the message which the 
herald brought from her kingly son, she hastened to 
make ready rich dresses and costly jewels wherewith to 
adorn the dames and damsels of the court. And, when 
all were in readiness, the peerless Kriemhild, with her 
mother at her side, went forth from the castle ; and a 
hundred knights, all sword in hand, went with her as a 
body-guard, and a great number of noble ladies dressed 
in rich attire followed her. As the red dawn peers 
forth from behind gray clouds, and drives the mists and 
shadows away from earth, so came the lovely one. As 
the bright full moon in radiant splendor moves in 
queen-like beauty before her train of attendant stars, 


The War with the North- Kings. 149 


and outshines them all, so was Kriemhild the most 
glorious among all the noble ladies there. And 
the thousand knights and warriors paused in their, 
games, and greeted the peerless princess as was due 
to one so noble and fair. Upon the highest platform, 
under a rich canopy of cloth-of-gold, seats were made 
ready for the maiden and her mother and the fair 
ladies in their train ; and all the most worthy princes 
in Rhineland sat around, and the games were begun 
again. 

For twelve days the gay high-tide lasted, and- nought 
was left undone whereby the joy might be increased. 
And of all the heroes and princes who jousted in the 
tournament, or took part in the games, none could 
equal the unassuming Siegfried ; and his praises were 
heard on every hand, and all agreed that he was the 
most worthy prince that they had ever seen. 

When at last the festal days came to an end, Gun- 
ther and his brothers called their guests and vassals 
around them, and loaded them with costly gifts, and 
bade them God-speed. And tears stood in the eyes of 
all at parting. 

The captive kings, Leudiger and Leudigast, were not 
forgotten. 

“ What will ye give me for your freedom ? ” asked 
King Gunther, half in jest. 

They answered, — 

“ If you will allow us without further hinderance to 
go back to our people, we pledge our lives and our 


150 The Story of Siegfried . 

honor that we will straightway send you gold, as much 
as half a thousand horses can carry.” 

Then Gunther turned to Siegfried, and said, — 

“ What think you, friend Siegfried, of such princely 
ransom ? ” 

“ Noble lord,” said Siegfried, “ I think you are in need 
of no such ransom. Friendship is worth much more 
than gold. If your kingly captives will promise, on their 
honor, never more to come towards Burgundy as ene- 
mies, let them go. We have no need of gold.” 

“ ’Tis well said,” cried Gunther highly pleased. 

And Leudiger and Leudigast, with tears of thankful- 
ness, gladly made the asked-for promise, and on the 
morrow, with light hearts and costly gifts, they set out 
on their journey homewards. 

When all the guests had gone, and the daily routine 
of idle palace-life set in again, Siegfried began to talk of 
going back to Nibelungen Land. But young Giselher, 
and the peerless Kriemhild, and King Gunther, be- 
sought him to stay yet a little longer. And he yielded 
to their kind wishes. And autumn passed away with 
its fruits and its vintage, and grim old winter came 
howling down from the north, and Siegfried was still 
in Burgundy. And then old Hoder, the king of the 
winter months, came blustering through the Rhine val- 
ley f and with him were the Reifriesen, — the thieves 
that steal the daylight from the earth and the warmth 
from the sun. And they nipped the flowers, and with- 
ered the grass, and stripped the trees, and sealed up 


The War with the North- Kings. 


151 


the rivers, and covered the earth with a white mantle 
of sorrow. 

But within King Gunther’s wide halls there was joy 
and good cheer. And the season of the Yule-feast 
came, and still Siegfried tarried in Burgundy-land. 


152 


The Story of Siegfried. 


ADVENTURE XIII. 


THE STORY OF BALDER. 

There was mirth in King Gunther’s dwelling, for the 
time of the Yule-feast had come. The broad banquet- 
hall was gayly decked with cedar and spruce and sprigs 
of the mistletoe ; and the fires roared in the great chim- 
neys, throwing warmth and a ruddy glow of light into 
every corner of the room. The long table fairly groaned 
under its weight of good cheer. At its head sat the 
kings and the earl-folk; and before them, on a silver 
platter of rare workmanship, was the head of a huge 
wild boar, — the festal offering to the good Frey, in 
honor of whom the Yule-feast was held. For now the 
sun, which had been driven by the Frost-giants far away 
towards the South-land, had begun to return, and Frey 
was on his way once more to scatter peace and plenty 
over the land. 

The harp and the wassail-bowl went round ; and each 
one of the company sang a song, or told a story, or in 
some way did his part to add to the evening’s enjoy- 
ment. And a young sea-king who sat at Siegfried’s 
side told most bewitching tales of other lands which 


The Story of Balder. 


153 


lie beyond Old yFgir’s kingdom. Then, when the harp 
came to him, he sang the wondrous song of the shap- 
ing of the earth. And all who heard were charmed 
with the sweet sound and with the pleasant words. 
He sang of the sunlight and the south winds and the 
summer-time, of the storms and the snow and the 
sombre shadows of. the North-land. And he sang of 
the dead Ymir, the giant whose flesh had made the 
solid earth, and whose blood the sea, and whose bones 
the mountains, whose teeth the cliffs and crags, and 
whose skull the heavens. And he sang of Odin, the 
earth’s preserver, the Giver of life, the Father of all ; 
and of the Asa-folk who dwell in Asgard ; and of 
the ghostly heroes in Valhal. Then he sang of the 
heaven-tower of the thunder-god, and of the shimmer- 
ing Asa-bridge, or rainbow, all afire ; and, lastly, of the 
four dwarfs who hold the blue sky-dome above them, 
and of the elves of the mountains, and of the wood- 
sprites and the fairies. Then he laid aside his harp, 
and told the old but ever-beautiful story of the death 
of Balder the Good. 

THE STORY. 

Balder, as you know, was Odin’s son ; and he was the 
brightest and best of all the Asa-folk. Wherever he 
went, there were gladness and light-hearted mirth, and 
blooming flowers, and singing birds, and murmuring 
waterfalls. Balder, too, was a hero, but not one of the 
blustering kind, like Thor. He slew no giants ; he never 


154 


The Story of Siegfried. 


went into battle ; he never tried to make for himself a 
name among the dwellers of the mid-world ; and yet 
he was a hero of the noblest type. He dared to do 
right, and to stand up for the good, the true, and the 
beautiful. There are still some such heroes, but the 
world does not always hear of them. 

Hoder, the blind king of the winter months, was 
Balder’ s brother, and as unlike him as darkness is un- 
like daylight. While one rejoiced, and was merry and 
cheerful, the other was low-spirited and sad. While 
one scattered sunshine and blessings everywhere, the 
other carried with him a sense of cheerlessness and 
gloom. Yet the brothers loved each other dearly. 

One night Balder dreamed a strange dream, and when 
he awoke he could not forget it. All day long he was 
thoughtful and sad, and he was not his own bright, 
happy self. His mother, the Asa-queen, saw that some- 
thing troubled him ; and she asked, — 

“ Whence comes that cloud upon your brow ? Will 
you suffer it to chase away all your sunshine ? and 
will you become, like your brother Hoder, all frowns 
and sighs and tears ? ” 

Then Balder told her what he had dreamed ; and she, 
too, was sorely troubled, for it was a frightful dream, 
and foreboded dire disasters. Then both she and Balder 
went to Odin, and to him they told the cause of their 
uneasiness. And the All-Father also was distressed ; 
for he knew that such dreams, dreamed by Asa-folk, 
were the forewarnings of evil. So he saddled his eight- 


i55 


The Story of Balder . 


footed steed Sleipner ; and, without telling any one where 
he was going, he rode with the speed of the winds down 
into the Valley of Death. The dog that guards the 
gateway to that dark and doleful land came out to meet 
him. Blood was on the fierce beast’s breast, and he 
barked loudly and angrily at the All-Father and his 
wondrous horse. But Odin sang sweet magic songs as 
he drew near ; and the dog was charmed with the sound, 
and Sleipner and his rider went onward in safety. And 
they passed the dark halls of the pale-faced queen, and 
came to the east gate of the valley. There stood the 
low hut of a witch who lived in darkness, and, like 
the Norns, spun the thread of fate for gods and men. 

Odin stood before the hut, and sang a wondrous song 
of witchery and enchantment ; and he laid a spell upon 
the weird woman, and forced her to come out of her 
dark dwelling, and to answer his questions. 

“ Who is this stranger ? ” asked the witch. “ Who is 
this unknown who calls me from my narrow home, and 
sets an irksome task for me ? Long have I been left 
alone in my quiet house ; nor recked I that the snow 
sometimes covered with its cold white mantle both me 
and my resting-place, or that the pattering rain and the 
gently falling dew often moistened the roof of my dwell- 
ing. Long have I rested quietly, and I do not wish 
now to be aroused.” 

“I am Valtam’s son,” said Odin; “and I come to 
learn of thee. Tell me, I pray, for whom are the soft 
couches prepared that I saw in the broad halls of 


The Story of Siegfried. 


156 

Death? For whom are the jewels, and the rings, and 
the rich clothing, and the shining shield ? ” 

“All are for Balder, Odin’s son,” she answered. 
“And the mead which has been brewed for him is 
hidden beneath the shining shield.” 

Then Odin asked who would be the slayer of Balder, 
and she answered that Hoder was the one who would 
send the shining Asa to the halls of Death. 

“Who will avenge Balder, and bring distress upon 
his slayer ? ” asked Odin. 

“A son of Earth but one day old shall be Balder’s 
avenger. Go thou now home, Odin ; for I know thou 
art not Valtam’s son. Go home ; and none shall again 
awaken me, nor disturb me at my task, until the new 
day shall dawn, and Balder shall rule over the young 
world in its purity, and there shall be no more Death.” 

Then Odin rode sorrowfully homeward ; but he told 
no one of his journey to the Dark Valley, nor of what 
the weird witch had said to him. 

Balder’s mother, the Asa-queen, could not rest be- 
cause of the ill-omened dream that her son had had ; 
and in her distress she called all the Asa-folk together 
to consider what should be done. But they were 
speechless with sorrow and alarm ; and none could offer 
advice, nor set her mind at ease. Then she sought out 
every living creature, and every lifeless thing, upon the 
earth, and asked each one to swear that it would not on 
any account hurt Balder, nor touch him to do him 
harm. And this oath was willingly made by fire and 


The Story of Balder . 


157 


water, earth and air, by all beasts and creeping 
things and birds and fishes, by the rocks and by 
the trees and all metals ; for every thing loved Balder 
the Good. 

Then the Asa-folk thought that great honor was 
shown to Balder each time any thing refused to hurt 
him ; and to show their love for him, as well as to 
amuse themselves, they often hewed at him with their 
battle-axes, or struck at him with their sharp swords, 
or hurled toward him their heavy lances. For every 
weapon turned aside from its course, and would neither 
mark nor bruise the shining target at which it was 
aimed; and Balder’s prihcely beauty shone as bright 
and as pure as ever. 

When Loki the Mischief-maker saw how all things 
loved and honored Balder, his heart was filled with 
jealous hate, and he sought all over the earth for some 
beast or bird or tree or lifeless thing, that had not 
taken the oath. But he could find not one. Then, 
disguised as a fair maiden, he went to Fensal Hall, 
where dwelt Balder’s mother. The fair Asa-queen was 
busy at her distaff, with her golden spindles, spinning 
flax to be woven into fine linen for the gods. And her 
maid-servant, Fulla of the flowing hair, sat on a stool 
beside her. When the queen saw Loki, she asked, — 

“ Whence come you, fair stranger ? and what favor 
would you ask of Odin’s wife ? ” 

“I come,” answered the disguised Loki, “from the 
plains of Ida, where the gods meet for pleasant pastime, 


158 


The Story of Siegfried. 


as well as to talk of the weightier matters of their 
kingdom.” 

“ And how do they while away their time to-day ? ” 
asked the queen. 

“ They have a pleasant game which they call Balder’s 
Honor,” was the answer. ** “ The shining hero stands 
before them as a target, and each one tries his skill at 
hurling some weapon toward him. First Odin throws 
at him the spear Gungner, which never before was 
known to miss its mark ; but it passes harmlessly over 
Balder’s head. Then Thor takes up a huge rock, and 
hurls it full at Balder’s breast ; but it turns in its course, 
and will not smite the sun-bright target. Then Tyr 
seizes a battle-axe, and strikes at Balder as though he 
would hew him down ; but the keen edge refuses to 
touch him : and in this way the Asa-folk show honor 
to the best of their number.” 

The Asa-queen smiled in the glad pride of her 
mother-heart, and said, “Yes, every thing shows 
honor to the best of Odin’s sons ; for neither metal 
nor wood nor stone nor fire nor water will touch 
Balder to do him harm.” 

“Is it true, then,” asked Loki, “that every thing has 
made an oath to you, and promised not to hurt your 
son ? ” 

And the queen, not thinking what harm an un- 
guarded word might do, answered, “Every thing has 
promised, save a little feeble sprig that men call 
the mistletoe. So small and weak it is, that I knew it 


The Story of Balder. 


159 


could never harm any one ; and so I passed it by, and 
did not ask it to take the oath.” 

Then Loki went out of Fensal Hall, and left the 
Asa-queen at her spinning. And he walked briskly 
away, and paused not until he came to the eastern side 
of Valhal, where, on the branches of an old oak, the 
mistletoe grew. Rudely he tore the plant from its 
supporting branch, and hid it under -his cloak. Then 
he walked leisurely back to the place where the Asa- 
folk were wont to meet in council. 

The next day the Asas went out, as usual, to engage 
in pleasant pastimes on the plains of Ida. When they 
had tired of leaping and foot-racing and tilting, they 
placed Balder before them as a target again ; and, as 
each threw his weapon toward the shining mark, they 
laughed to see the missile turn aside from its course, 
and refuse to strike the honored one. But blind 
Hoder stood sorrowfully away from the others, and did 
not join in any of their sports. Loki, seeing this, 
went to him and said, — 

“ Brother of the gloomy brow, why do you not take 
part with us in our games ? ” 

“I am blind,” answered Hoder. “I can neither leap, 
nor run, nor throw the lance.” 

“But you can shoot arrows from your bow,” said 
Loki. 

“Alas!” said Hoder, “that I can do only as some 
one shall direct my aim, for I can see no target.” 

“ Do you hear that laughter ? ” asked Loki. “ Thor 


i6o 


The Story of Siegfried, 


has hurled the straight trunk of a pine-tree at your 
brother ; and, rather than touch such a glorious mark, 
it has turned aside, and been shivered to pieces upon 
the rocks over there. It is thus that the Asa-folk, and 
all things living and lifeless, honor Balder. Hoder is 
the only one who hangs his head, and fears to do his 
part. Come, now, let me fit this little arrow in your 
bow, and then, as I point it, do you shoot. When you 
hear the gods laugh, you will know that your arrow has 
shown honor to the hero by refusing to hit him.” 

And Hoder, thinking no harm, did as Loki wished. 
And the deadly arrow sped from the bow, and pierced 
the heart of shining Balder, and he sank lifeless upon 
the ground. Then the Asa-folk who saw it were 
struck speechless with sorrow and dismay ; and, had it 
not been that the Ida plains where they then stood 
were sacred to peace, they would have seized upon 
Loki, and put him to death. 

Forthwith the world was draped in mourning for 
Balder the Good ; the birds stopped singing, and flew 
with drooping wings to the far South-land ; the beasts 
sought to hide themselves in their lairs and in the holes 
of the ground ; the trees shivered and sighed until their 
leaves fell withered to the earth ; the flowers closed their 
eyes, and died ; the rivers stopped flowing, and dark 
and threatening billows veiled the sea; even the sun 
shrouded his face, and withdrew silently towards the 
south. 

When Balder’s good mother heard the sad news, she 


The Story of Balder . 


161 


left her golden spindle in Fensal Hall, and with her 
maidens hastened to the Ida-plains, where the body of 
her son still lay. Nanna, the faithful wife of Balder, 
was already there ; and wild was her grief at sight of 
the lifeless loved one. And all the Asa-folk — save 
guilty Loki, who had fled for his life — stood about 
them in dumb amazement. But Odin was the most 
sorrowful of all ; for he knew, that, with Balder, the 
world had lost its most gladsome life. 

They lifted the body, and carried it down to the sea, 
where the great ship “ Ringhorn,” which Balder himself 
had built, lay ready to be launched. And a great com- 
pany followed, and stood upon the beach, and bewailed 
the untimely death of the hero. First came Odin, with 
his grief-stricken queen, and then his troop of hand- 
maidens, the Valkyrien, followed by his ravens Hugin 
and Munin. Then came Thor in his goat-drawn car, 
and Heimdal on his horse Goldtop ; then Frey, in his 
wagon, behind the boar Gullinbruste of the golden 
bristles. Then Freyja, in her chariot drawn by cats, 
came weeping tears of gold. Lastly, poor blind Hoder, 
overcome with grief, was carried thither on the back 
of one of the Frost-giants. And Old JEg\r, the Ocean- 
king, raised his dripping head above the water, and 
gazed with dewy eyes upon the scene ; and the waves, 
as if affrighted, left off their playing, and were still. 

High on the deck they built the funeral-pile ; and 
they placed the body upon it, and covered it with costly 
garments, and with woods of the finest scent ; and the 


162 


The Story of Siegfried. 


noble horse which had been Balder’s they slew, and 
placed beside him, that he might not have to walk to 
the halls of Death. And Odin took from his finger the 
ring Draupner, the earth’s enricher, and laid it on the 
pile. Then Nanna, the faithful wife, was overcome 
with grief, and her gentle heart was broken, and she fell 
lifeless at the feet of the Asa-queen. And they carried 
her upon the ship, and laid her by her husband’s side. 

When all things were in readiness to set fire to the 
pile, the gods tried to launch the ship ; but it was so 
heavy that they could not move it. So they sent in 
haste to Jotunheim for the stout giantess Hyrroken ; 
and she came with the speed of the whirlwind, and 
riding on a wolf, which she guided with a bridle of 
writhing snakes. 

“What will you have me do ? ” she asked. 

“ We would have you launch the great ship ‘ Ring- 
horn,’ ” answered Odin. 

“ That I will do ! ” roared the grim giantess. And, 
giving the vessel a single push, she sent it sliding with 
speed into the deep waters of the bay. Then she gave 
the word to her grisly steed, and she flew onwards and 
away, no one knew whither. 

The “Ringhorn” floated nobly upon the water, — 
a worthy bier for the body which it bore. The fire was 
set to the funeral-pile, and the red flames shot upwards 
to the sky ; but their light was but a flickering beam 
when matched with the sun-bright beauty of Balder, 
whose body they consumed. 


The Story of Balder . 


163 

Then the sorrowing folk turned away, and went back 
to their homes : a cheerless gloom rested heavily where 
light gladness had ruled before. And, when they reached 
the high halls of Asgard, the Asa-qiieen spoke, and 
said, — 

“Who now, for the love of Balder and his stricken 
mother, will undertake an errand ? Who will go down 
into the Valley of Death, and seek for Balder, and 
ransom him, and bring him back to Asgard and the 
mid-world ? ” 

Then Hermod the Nimble, the brother of Balder, an- 
swered, “ I will go. I will find him, and, with Hela’s 
leave, will bring him back.” 

And he mounted Sleipner, the eight-footed steed, and 
galloped swiftly away. Nine days and nine nights he 
rode through strange valleys and mountain gorges, 
where the sun’s light had never been, and through 
gloomy darkness and fearful silence, until he came to 
the black river, and the glittering, golden bridge which 
crosses it. Over the bridge his strong horse carried 
him ; although it shook and swayed and threatened to 
throw him into the raging, inky flood below. On the 
other side a maiden keeps the gate, and Hermod 
stopped to pay the toll. 

“What is thy name?” she asked. 

“ My name is Hermod, and I am called the Nimble,” 
he answered. 

“ What is thy father’s name ? ” 

“His name is Odin. Mayhap you have heard of 
him.” 


6 4 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“Why ridest thou with such thunderous speed? 
Five kingdoms of dead men passed over this bridge 
yesterday, and it shook not with their weight as it did 
with thee and thy strange steed. Thou art not of the 
pale multitude that are wont to pass this gate. What 
is thy errand ? and why ridest thou to the domains of the 
dead ? ” 

“ I go to find my brother Balder,” answered Hermod. 
“ It is but a short time since he unwillingly came down 
into these shades.” 

“ Three days ago,” said the maiden, “ Balder passed 
this way, and by his side rode the faithful Nanna. 
So bright was his presence, even here, that the whole 
valley was lighted up as it had never before been 
lighted. The black river glittered like a gem ; the 
frowning mountains smiled for once ; and Hela her- 
self, the queen of these regions, slunk far away into 
her most distant halls. But Balder went on his way, 
and even now he sups with Nanna in the dark castle 
over yonder.” 

Then Hermod rode forward till he came to the castle- 
walls. These were built of black marble ; and the iron 
gate was barred and bolted, and none who went in 
had ever yet come out. Hermod called loudly to the 
porter to open the gate and let him in ; but no one 
seemed to hear nor heed him, for the words of the 
living are unknown in that place. Then he drew the 
saddle-girths more tightly around the horse Sleipner, 
and urged him forward. High up, the great horse 


The Story of Balder . 165 

leaped ; and he sprang clear over the gates, and landed 
at the open door of the great hall. Leaving his steed, 
Hermod went boldly in ; and there he found his 
brother Balder and the faithful Nanna seated at the 
festal board, and honored as the most worthy of all 
the guests.- With Balder, Hermod staid until the 
night had passed ; and many were the pleasant words 
they spoke. When morning came, Hermod went into 
the presence of Hela, and said, — 

“ O mighty queen ! I come to ask a boon of thee. 
Balder the Good, whom both gods and men loved, 
has been sent to dwell with thee here in thy darksome 
house ; and all the world weeps for him, and has donned 
the garb of mourning, and cannot be consoled until his 
bright light shall shine upon them again. And the gods 
have sent me, his brother, to ask thee to let Balder ride 
back with me to Asgard, to his noble, sorrowing mother, 
the Asa-queen ; for then will hope live again in the 
hearts of men, and happiness will return to the earth.” 

The Death-queen was silent for a moment ; and then 
she said in a sad voice, “ Hardly can I believe that any 
being is so greatly loved by things living and lifeless ; 
for surely Balder is not more the friend of earth than 
I am, and yet men love me not. But go thou back to 
Asgard ; and, if every thing shall weep for Balder, then 
I will send him to you. But, if any thing shall refuse 
to weep, then I will keep him in my halls.” 

So Hermod made ready to return home; and Balder 
gave him the ring Draupner to carry to his father as a 


1 66 The Story of Siegfried . 

keepsake ; and Nanna sent to the queen-mother a rich 
carpet of purest green. Then the nimble messenger 
mounted his horse, and rode swiftly back over the dark 
river, and through the frowning valleys, until he at last 
reached Odin’s halls. 

When the Asa-folk learned upon what terms they 
might have Balder again with them, they sent heralds 
all over the world to beseech every thing to mourn for 
him. And men and beasts, and creeping things, and 
birds and fishes, and trees and stones, and air and water, 
— all things, living and lifeless, joined in weeping for 
the lost Balder. 

But, as the heralds were on their way back to Asgard, 
they met a giantess named Thok, and they asked her to 
join in the universal grief. And she answered, “What 
good thing did Balder ever do for Thok ? What glad- 
ness did he ever bring her? If she should weep for 
him, it would be with dry tears. Let Hela keep him 
in her halls.” 1 

“And yet the day shall come,” added the story-teller, 
“ when the words of the weird woman to Odin shall prove 
true ; and Balder shall come again to rule over a new- 
born world in which there shall be no wrong-doing and 
no more death.” 

1 See Note 23 at the end of this vdlume. 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild. 167 


ADVENTURE XIV i 


HOW GUNTHER OUTWITTED 
BRUNHILD. 

While still the festivities were at their height, an 
old man of noble mien,~hnd with snow-white beard and 
hair, came into the great hall, and sang for the gay- 
company. And some whispered that this must be 
Bragi, for surely such rare music could not be made 
by any other. But he sang not of spring, as Bragi does, 
nor yet of youth nor of beauty, nor like one whose 
home is with the song-birds, and who lives beside the 
babbling brooks and the leaping waterfalls. His song 
was a sorrowful one, — of dying flowers, and falling 
leaves, and the wailing winds of autumn, of forgotten 
joys, of blasted hopes, of a crushed ambition, of gray 
hairs, of tottering footsteps, of old age, of a lonely 
grave. And, as he sang, all were moved to tears by 
the mournful melody and the sad, sad words. 

‘‘Good friend,” said Siegfried, “thy music agrees not 
well with this time and place ; for, where nothing but 
mirth and joy are welcome, thou hast brought sorrowful 
thoughts and gloomy forebodings. Come, now, and 


i68 


The Story of Siegfried . 


undo the harm thou hast done, by singing a song which 
shall tell only of mirth and gladness.” 

The old man shook his head, and answered, “ Were I 
Bragi, as some think I am, or were I even a strolling 
harper, I might do as you ask. But I am neither, and 
I know no gladsome songs. Men have called me a 
messenger of ill omen ; and such, indeed, I have some- 
times been, although through no wish of my own. I 
come as a herald from a far-off land, and I bear a mes- 
sage to all the kings and the noblest chiefs of Rhineland. 
If King Gunther will allow me, I will now make that 
message known.” 

“ Let the herald speak on,” said Gunther graciously. 

“ Far over the sea,” said the herald, “there lies a 
dreamy land called Isenland ; and in that land there is 
a glorious castle, with six and eighty towers, built of 
purest marble, green as grass. In that castle there 
lives the fairest of all Earth’s daughters, Brunhild, the 
maiden of the spring-time. In the early days she was 
one of Odin’s Valkyrien ; and with other heavenly 
maidens it was her duty to follow, unseen, in the wake 
of armies, and when they met in battle to hover over 
the field, and with kisses to waken the dead heroes, and 
lead their souls away to Odin’s glad banquet-hall. But 
upon a day she failed to do the All-Father’s bidding, 
and he, in anger, sent her to live among men, and like 
them to be short-lived, and subject to old age and death. 
But the childless old king of Isenland took pity upon 
the friendless maiden, and called her his daughter, and 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild. 169 


made her his heir. Then Odin, still more angered, sent 
the thorn of sleep to wound the princess. And sleep 
seized upon every creature in Isenland, and silence 
reigned in the halls of the marble palace. For Odin 
said, ‘Thus shall they all sleep until the hero comes, 
who will ride through fire, and awaken Brunhild with a 
kiss.’ 

“At last the hero so long waited for came. He 
passed the fiery barrier safe, and awoke the slumbering 
maiden ; and all the castle sprang suddenly into life 
again. And Brunhild became known once more as the 
most glorious princess in this mid-world. But the sun- 
bright hero who freed her from her prison of sleep van- 
ished from Isenland, and no one knew where he went ; 
but men say that he rides through the noble world, the 
fairest and the best of kings. And Brunhild has sought 
for him in many lands ; and, although all folk have heard 
of his deeds, none know where he dwells. And so, as 
a last resort, she has sent heralds into every land to 
challenge every king to match his skill with hers in three 
games of strength, — in casting the spear, in hurling 
the heavy stone, and in leaping. The one who can 
equal her in these feats shall be king of Isenland, and 
share with her the throne of Isenstein. And by this 
means she hopes to find the long-absent hero ; for she 
believes that there is no other prince on earth whose 
strength and skill are equal to her own. Many men have 
already risked their lives in this adventure, and all 
have failed. 


170 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“And now, King Gunther,” continued the herald, “ I 
have come by her orders into Rhineland, and I deliver 
the challenge to you. If you accept, and are beaten, 
your life is forfeited. If you succeed, the fairest king- 
dom and the most beautiful queen in the world are 
yours ; for you will have proved that you are at least 
the equal of the hero whom she seeks. What repjy 
shall I carry back to Isenland ? ” 

King Gunther answered hastily, and as one dazed 
and in a dream, “ Say that I accept the challenge, 
and that when the spring-time comes again, and the 
waters in the river are unlocked, I shall go to Isenland, 
and match my skill and strength with that of the fair 
and mighty Brunhild.” 

All who stood ’ around were greatly astonished at 
Gunther’s reply ; for, although his mind was somewhat 
weak, he was not given to rash and hazardous under- 
takings. And Siegfried, who was at his side, whis- 
pered, “Think twice, friend Gunther, ere you decide. 
You do not know' the strength of this mighty but 
lovely warrior-maiden. Were your strength four times 
what it is, you could not hope to excel her in those 
feats. Give up this hasty plan, I pray you, and recall 
your answer to the challenge. Think no more of 
such an undertaking, for it surely will cost you your 
life.” 

But these warnings, and the words of others who 
tried to dissuade him, only made Gunther the more 
determined ; and he vowed that nothing should hinder 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild. 17 1 


him from undertaking the adventure. Then the dark- 
browed Hagen said, — 

“ Our friend Siegfried seems to know much about 
Isenland and its maiden-queen. And indeed, if there 
is any truth in hearsay, he has had the best of means 
for learning. Now, if our good King Gunther has set 
his mind on going upon this dangerous enterprise, 
mayhap Siegfried would be willing to bear him com- 
pany.” 

Gunther was pleased with Hagen’s words ; and he 
said to Siegfried, “ My best of friends, go with me to 
Isenland, and help me. If we do well in our under- 
taking, ask of me any reward you wish, and I will give 
it you, so far as in my power lies.” 

“You know, kind Gunther,” answered Siegfried, 
“that for myself I have no fear; and yet again I 
would warn you to shun the unknown dangers with 
which this enterprise is fraught. But if, after all, your 
heart is set upon it, make ready to start as soon as the 
warm winds shall have melted the ice from the river. 
I will go with you.” 

The king grasped Siegfried’s hand, and thanked him 
heartily. 

“We must build a fleet,” said he. “A thousand 
fighting-men shall go with us, and we will land in 
Isenland with a retinue such as no other prince has 
had. A number of stanch vessels shall be built at 
once, and in the early spring they shall be launched 
upon the Rhine.” 


172 The Story of Siegfried. 

Siegfried was amused at Gunther’s earnestness, and 
he answered, “Do not think of taking such a follow- 
ing. You would waste twelve months in building and 
victualling such a fleet. You would take from Bur- 
gundy its only safeguard against foes from without ; 
and, jpiafter you should reach Isenland, you would find 
such a large force to be altogether useless. Take my 
advice : have one small vessel built and rigged and 
victualled for the long and dangerous voyage ; and, 
when the time shall come, you and I, and your kins- 
men Hagen and Dankwart, — we four only, — will 
* undertake the voyage and the emprise you have 
decided upon.” 

Gunther knew that his friend’s judgment in this 
matter was better than his own, and he agreed readily 
to all of Siegfried’s plans. 

When, at length, the winter months began to wane, 
many hands were busy making ready for the voyage. 
The peerless Kriemhild called together thirty of her 
maidens, the most skilful seamstresses in Burgundy- 
land, and began the making of rich clothing for her 
brother and his friends . 1 With her own fair hands she 
cut out garments from the rarest stuffs, — from the 
silky skins brought from the sunny lands of Lybia ; 
from the rich cloth of Zazemang, green as clover ; 
from the silk that traders bring from Araby, white as 
the drifted snow. For seven weeks the clever maidens 

1 See Note 24 at the end of this volume. 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild . 173 


and their gentle mistress plied their busy needles, and 
twelve suits of wondrous beauty they made for each of 
the four heroes. And the princely garments were cov- 
ered with fine needle-work, and with curious devices 
all studded with rare and costly jewels; and all were 
wrought with threads of gold. 

Many carpenters and ship-builders were busy with 
axes and hammers, and flaming forges, working day 
and night to make ready a 'vessel new and stanch, to 
carry the adventurers over the sea. And great stores 
of food, and of alh things needful to their safety or 
comfort, were brought together and put on board. 

Neither were the heroes themselves idle ; for when 
not busy in giving directions to the workmen, or in 
overseeing the preparations that were elsewhere going 
on, they spent the time in polishing their armor (now 
long unused), in looking after th’eir weapons, or in pro- 
viding for the management of their business while 
away. And Siegfried forgot not his trusty sword Bal- 
mung, nor his cloak of darkness the priceless Tarn- 
kappe, which he had captured from the dwarf Alberich 
in the Nibelungen Land. 

Then the twelve suits of garments which fair fingers 
had wrought were brought. And when the men tried 
them on, so faultless was the fit, so rare and perfect 
was every piece in richness and beauty, that even the 
wearers were amazed, and all declared that such daz- 
zling and kingly raiment had never before been seen. 

At last the spring months had fairly vanquished all 


i74 


The Story of Siegfried . 


the forces of the cold North-land. The warm breezes 
had melted the snow and ice, and unlocked the river ; 
and the time had come for Gunther and his comrades 
to embark. The little ship, well victualled, and made 
stanch and stout in every part, had been launched upon 
the Rhine ; and she waited with flying streamers and 
impatient sails the coming of her crew. Down the 
sands at length they came, riding upon their steeds ; 
and behind them followed a train of vassals bearing 
their kingly garments and their gold-red shields. And 
on the banks stood many of the noblest folk of Bur- 
gundy, — Gernot and the young Giselher, and Ute the 
queen-mother, and Kriemhild the peerless, and a num- 
ber of earl-folk, and warriors, and fair dames, and 
blushing damsels. And the heroes bade farewell to 
their weeping friends, and went upon the waiting ves- 
sel, taking their steeds with them. And Siegfried 
seized an oar, and pushed the bark off from the 
shore. 

“ I myself will be the steersman, for I know the 
way,” he said. 

And the sails were unfurled to the brisk south wind, 
and the vessel sped swiftly toward the sea ; and many 
fair eyes were filled tears as they watched it until it 
could be seen no more. And with sighs and gloomy 
forebodings the good people went back to their homes, 
and but few hoped ever again to see their king and his 
brave comrades. 

Driven by favorable winds, the trusty little vessel 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild. 175 


sailed gayly down the Rhine, and, ere many days had 
passed, was out in the boundless sea. For a long time 
the heroes sailed and rowed through Old ^Egir’s 
watery kingdom. But they kept good cheer, and their 
hearts rose higher and higher ; for each day they drew 
nearer the end of their voyage and the goal of their 
hopes. At length they came in sight of a far-reaching 
coast and a lovely land ; and not far from the shore 
they saw a noble fortress, with a number of tall towers 
pointing toward the sky. 

“ What land is that ? ” asked the king. 1 

And Siegfried answered that it was Isenland, and 
that the fortress which they saw was the Castle of 
Isenstein and the green marble hall of the Princess 
Brunhild. But he warned his friends to be very wary 
when they should arrive at the hall. 

“ Let all tell this story,” said he : “ say that Gunther 
is the king, and that I am his faithful vassal. The 
success of our undertaking depends on this.” And his 
three comrades promised to do as he advised. 

As the vessel neared the shore, the whole castle 
seemed to be alive. From every tower and turret- 
window, from every door and balcony, lords and ladies, 
fighting-men and serving-men, looked out to see what 
strangers these were who came thus unheralded to 
Isenland. The heroes went on shore with their steeds, 
leaving the vessel moored to the bank ; and then 
they rode slowly up the beach, and across the narrow 

1 See Note 25 at the end of this volume. 


176 


The Story of Siegfried . 


plain, and came to the drawbridge and the great 
gateway, where they paused. 

The matchless Brunhild in her chamber had been 
told of the coming of the strangers ; and she asked the 
maidens who stood around, — 

“Who, think you, are the unknown warriors who 
thus come boldly to Isenstein without asking leave ? 
What is their bearing ? Do they seem to be worthy of 
our notice ? or are they some straggling beggars who 
have lost their way ? ” 

And one of the maidens, looking through the case- 
ment, answered, “ The first is a king, I know, from his 
noble mien and the respect which his fellows pay to 
him. But the second bears himself with a prouder 
grace, and seems the noblest of them all. He reminds 
me much of the brave young Siegfried of former days. 
Indeed, it must be Siegfried ; for he rides a steed with 
sunbeam mane, which can be none other than Greyfell. 
The third is a dark and gloomy man : he wears a sullen 
frown upon his brow, and his eyes seem to shoot quick 
glances around. How nervously he grasps his sword- 
hilt, as if ever guarding against surprise ! I think his 
temper must be grim and fiery, and his heart a heart of 
flint. The fourth and last of the company is young and 
fair, and of gentle port. Little business has he with 
rude warriors ; and many tears, methinks, would be 
shed for him at home should harm overtake him. 
Never before have I seen so noble a company of 
strangers in Isenland. Their garments are of dazzling 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild . . 177 


lustre ; their saddles are covered with gem-stones ; 
their weapons are of unequalled brightness. Surely 
they are worthy of your notice.” 

When Brunhild heard that Siegfried was one of the 
company, she was highly pleased, and she hastened to 
make ready to meet them in the great hall. And she 
sent ten worthy lords to open the gate, and to welcome 
the heroes to Isenland. 

When Siegfred and his comrades passed through the 
great gateway, and came into the castle-yard, their 
horses were led away to the stables, and the clanging 
armor and the broad shields and swords which they 
carried were taken from them, and placed in the castle 
armory. ' Little heed was paid to Hagen’s surly com- 
plaint at thus having every means of defence taken 
away. He was told that such had always been the 
rule at Isenstein, and that he, like others, must submit. 

After a short delay the heroes were shown into the 
great hall, where the matchless Brunhild already was 
^waiting them. Clad in richest raiment, from every 
fold of which rare jewels gleamed, and wearing a 
coronet of pearls and gold, the warrior-maiden sat 
on a throne of snow-white ivory. Five hundred earl- 
folk and warriors, the bravest in Isenland, stood around 
her with drawn swords, and fierce, determined looks. 
Surely men of mettle less heroic than that of the four 
knights from Rhineland wonid have quaked with fear 
in such a presence. f 

King Gunther and his comrades went forward to 


1 73 


The Story of Siegfried. 


salute the queen. With a winning smile she kindly 
greeted them, and then said to Siegfried, “Gladly do 
we welcome you back to our land, friend Siegfried. 
We have ever remembered you as our best friend. 
May we ask what is your will, and who are these war- 
riors whom you have with you ? ” 

“Most noble queen,” answered he, “right thankful 
am I that you have not forgotten me, and that you 
should deign to notice me while in the presence of this 
my liege lord,” and he pointed towards King Gunther. 
“ The king of all Burgundy-land, whose humble vassal 
I am, has heard the challenge you have sent into differ- 
ent lands, and he has come to match his strength with 
yours.” 

“ Does he know the conditions ? ” asked Brunhild. 

“ He does,” was the answer. “ In case of success, 
the fairest of women for his queen : in case of failure, 
death.” 

“Yet scores of worthy men have made trial, and all 
have failed,” said she. “ I warn your liege lord to 
pause, and weigh well the chances ere he runs so great 
a risk.” 

Then Gunther stepped forward and spoke : — 

“ The chances, fairest queen, have all been weighed, 
and nothing can change our mind. Make your own 
terms, arrange every thing as pleases you best. We 
accept your challenge, and ask to make a trial of our 
strength.” 

The warrior-maiden, without more words, bade her 


How Gunther outwitted Brunhild. 


1 7 9 


servants help her to make ready at once for the contest. 
She donned a rich war-coat, brought long ago from the 
far-off Lybian shores, — an armor which, it was said, no 
sword could dint, and upon which the heaviest stroke 
of spear fell harmless. Her hemlet was edged with 
golden lace, and sparkled all over with rich gem-stones. 
Her lance, of wondrous length, a heavy weight for three 
stout men, was brought. Her shield was as broad and 
as bright as the sun, and three spans thick with steel 
and gold. 

While the princess was thus arming herself, the 
heroes looked on with amazement and fear. But Sieg- 
fried, unnoticed, hastened quietly out of the hall, and 
through the open castle-gate, and sped like the wind 
to the seashore and to their little ship. There he ar- 
rayed himself in the Tarnkappe, and then, silent and 
unseen, he ran back to his friends in the great hall. 

“Be of good cheer,” he whispered in the ears of 
the trembling Gunther. 

But the king could not see who it was that spoke to 
him, so well was the hero hidden in the cloak of dark- 
ness. Yet he knew that it must be Siegfried, and he 
felt greatly encouraged. 

Hagen’s frowning face grew darker, and the uneasy 
glances which shot from beneath his shaggy eyebrows 
were not those of fear, but of anger and deep anxiety. 
Dankwart gave up all as lost, and loudly bewailed their 
folly. 

“ Must we, unarmed, stand still and see our liege lord 


i8o 


The Story of Siegfried . 


slain for a woman’s whim ? ” he cried. “ Had we only 
our good swords, we might defy this maiden-queen and 
all her Isenland.” 

Brunhild overheard his words. Scornfully she called 
to her servants, “ Bring to these boasters their armor, 
and let them have their keen-edged swords. Brunhild 
has no fear of such men, whether they be armed or 
unarmed.” 

When Hagen and Dankwart felt their limbs again 
enclosed in steel, and when they held their trusty 
swords in hand, their uneasiness vanished, and hope 
returned. 

In the ' castle-yard a space was cleared, 'and Brun- 
hild’s five hundred warriors stood around as umpires. 
The unseen Siegfried kept close by Gunther’s side. 

“Fear not,” he said. “ Do my bidding, and you are 
safe. Let me take your shield. When the time comes, 
make you the movements, and trust me to do the 
work.” 

Then Brunhild threw her spear at Gunther’s shield. 
The mighty weapon sped through the air with the swift- 
ness of lightning ; and, when it struck the shield, both 
Gunther and the unseen Siegfried fell to the ground, 
borne down by its weight and the force with which it 
was thrown. Blood gushed from the nostrils of both ; 
and sad would have been their fate if the friendly 
Tarnkappe had not hidden Siegfried from sight, and 
given him the strength of twelve giants. Quickly 
they rose. And Gunther seemed to pick up the heavy 



THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH. 




































































How Gunther outwitted Brunhild. 1 8 1 


shaft, but it was really Siegfried who raised it from 
the ground. For one moment he poised the great 
beam in the air, and then, turning the blunt end fore- 
most, he sent it flying back more swiftly than it had 
come. It struck the huge shield which Brunhild held 
before her, with a sound that echoed to the farthest 
cliffs of Isenland. The warrior-maiden was dashed to 
the earth ; but, rising at once, she cried, — 

“That was a noble blow, Sir Gunther. I confess 
myself fairly outdone. But there are two chances yet, 
and you will do well if you equal me in those. We 
will now try hurling the stone, and jumping.” 

Twelve men came forward, carrying a huge rough 
stone in weight a ton or more. And Brunhild raised 
this mass of rock in her white arms, and held it high 
above her head ; then she swung it backwards once, 
and threw ft a dozen fathoms across the castle-yard. 
Scarcely had it reached the ground when the mighty 
maiden leaped after, and landed just beside it. And 
the thousand lookers-on shouted in admiration. But 
old Hagen bit his unshorn lip, and cursed the day that 
had brought them to Isenland. 

Gunther and the unseen Siegfried, not at all dis- 
heartened, picked up the heavy stone, which was half 
buried in the ground, and, lifting it with seeming ease, 
threw it swiftly forward. Not twelve, but twenty, fath- 
oms it flew ; and Siegfried, snatching up Gunther in 
his arms, leaped after, and landed close to the castle- 
wall. And Brunhild believed that Gunther alone had 


182 


The Story of Siegfried. 


done these great feats through his own strength and 
skill ; and she at once acknowledged herself beaten in 
the games, and bade her vassals do homage to Gunther 
as their rightful liege lord. 

Alas that the noblest of men-folk should have 
stooped to such deed of base deception! The punish- 
ment, although long delayed, came surely at last ; for 
not even the highest are exempt from obedience to 
Heaven’s behests and the laws of right. 

When the contest was ended, the unseen Siegfried 
ran quickly back to the little ship, and hastily doffed 
the magic Tarnkappe. Then, in his own form, he re- 
turned to the castle, and leisurely entered the castle- 
yard. When he met his pleased comrades and the 
vanquished maiden-queen, he asked in careless tones 
when the games would begin. All who heard his ques- 
tion laughed ; and Brunhild said, — 

“ Surely, Sir Siegfried, the old sleep-thorn of Isen- 
stein must have caught you, and held you in your ship. 
The games are over, and Gunther, your liege lord, is 
the winner.” 

At this news Siegfried seemed much delighted, as 
indeed he was. And all went together to the great 
banquet-hall, where a rich feast was served to our 
heroes and to the worthy earl-folk and warriors of 
Isenland. 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 183 


ADVENTURE XV. 


IN NIBELUNGEN LAND AGAIN. 

When the folk of Isenland learned that their queen 
had been outwitted and won by a strange chief from 
a far-off and unknown land, great was their sorrow and 
dismay ; for they loved the fair maiden-queen, and they 
feared to exchange her mild reign for that of an untried 
foreigner. Nor was the queen herself at all pleased 
with the issue of the late contest. She felt no wish to 
leave her loved people, and her pleasant home, and the 
fair island which was her kingdom, to take up her abode 
in a strange land, as the queen of one for whom she 
could feel no respect. And every one wondered how it 
was that a man like Gunther, so commonplace, and so 
feeble in his every look and act, could have done such 
deeds, and won the wary warrior-maiden. 

“ If it had only been Siegfried ! ” whispered the 
maidens among themselves. 

“ If it had only been Siegfried ! ” murmured the 
knights and the fighting-men. 

“ If it had only been Siegfried ! ” thought the queen, 
away down in the most secret corner of her heart. 


184 


The Story of Siegfried. 


And she shut herself up in her room, and gave wild 
vent to her feelings of grief and disappointment. 

Then heralds mounted the swiftest horses, and hur- 
ried to every village and farm, and to every high- 
towered castle, in the land. And they carried word to 
all of Brunhild’s kinsmen and liegemen, bidding them 
to come without delay to Isenstein. And every man 
arose as with one accord, and hastened to obey the call 
of their queen. And the whole land was filled with 
the notes of busy preparation for war. And day by 
day to the castle the warriors came and went, and the 
sound of echoing horse-hoofs, and the rattling of ready 
swords, and the ringing of the war-shields, were heard 
on every hand. 

“What means this treason?” cried Gunther in dis- 
may. “ The coy warrior-maiden would fain break her 
plighted word; and we, here in our weakness, shall 
perish from her wrath.” 

And even old Hagen, who had never felt a fear when 
meeting a host in open battle, was troubled at the 
thought of the mischief which was brewing. 

“’Tis true, too true,” he said, and the dark frown 
deepened on his face, “that we have done a foolish 
thing. For we four men have come to this cheerless 
land upon a hopeless errand ; and, if we await the gather- 
ing of the storm, our ruin will be wrought.” And 
he grasped his sword-hilt with such force, that his 
knuckles grew white as he paced fiercely up and down 
the hall. 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 185 

Dankwart, too, bewailed the fate that had driven them 
into this net, from which he saw no way of escape. And 
both the warriors besought King Gunther to take ship 
at once, and to sail for Rhineland before it was too late. 
But Siegfried said, — 

“What account will you give to the folk at home, 
if you thus go back beaten, outwitted, and ashamed ? 
Brave warriors, indeed ! we should be called. Wait a 
few days, and trust all to me. When Brunhild’s war- 
riors shall be outnumbered by our own, she will no 
longer hesitate, and our return to Rhineland shall be 
a triumphant one ; for we shall carry the glorious 
warrior-queen home with us.” 

“Yes,” answered Hagen, mocking, “we will wait until 
her warriors are outnumbered by our own. But how 
long shall that be ? Will the lightning carry the word 
to Burgundy ? and will the storm-clouds bring our 
brave men from across the sea? Had you allowed 
King Gunther’s plans to be followed, they would have 
been here with us now, and we might have quelled this 
treason at the first.” 

And Dankwart said, “ By this time the fields of the 
South-land are green with young corn, and the mead- 
ows are full of sweet-smelling flowers, and the summer 
comes on apace. Why should we stay longer in this 
chilly and fog-ridden land, waiting upon the whims of 
a fickle maiden, — as fickle as the winds themselves? 
Better face the smiles and the jeers of the folk at home 
than suffer shameful shipwreck in this cold Isenland.” 


1 86 The Story of Siegfried. 

But Siegfried would not be moved by the weak and 
wavering words of his once valiant comrades. 

“Trust me,” he said, “and all will yet be well. Wait 
here but a few days longer in quietness, while I go 
aboard ship, and fare away. Within three days I will 
bring to Isenstein a host of warriors such as you have 
never seen. And then the fickle fancies of Brunhild 
will flee, and she \ViW no longer refuse to sail with us to 
the now sunny South-land.” 

Hagen frowned still more deeply ; and as he strode 
away he muttered, “ He only wants to betray us, and 
leave us to die in this trap which he himself has doubt- 
less set for us.” 

But Gunther anxiously grasped the hand of Siegfried, 
and said, “ Go ! I trust you, and believe in you. But be 
sure not to linger, for no one knows what a day may 
bring forth in this uncertain and variable clime.” 

Without saying a word in reply, Siegfried turned, and 
hastened down to the shore. Without any loss of time 
he unmoored the little ship, and stepped aboard. Then 
he donned his Tarnkappe, spread the sails, and seized 
the helm ; and the vessel, like a bird with woven wings, 
sped swiftly out of the bay, and Isenstein, with its wide 
halls and glass-green' towers, was soon lost to the sight 
of the invisible helmsman. For four and twenty hours 
did Siegfried guide the flying vessel as it leaped from 
wave to wave, and sent the white foam dashing to left 
and right like flakes of snow. And late on the morrow 
he came to a rock-bound coast, where steep cliffs and 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 187 

white mountain-peaks rose up, as it were, straight out 
of the blue sea. Having found a safe and narrow inlet, 
he moored his little bark ; and, keeping the Tarnkappe 
well wrapped around him, he stepped ashore. Briskly 
he walked along the rough shore, and through a dark 
mountain-pass, until he came to a place well known to 
him, — a place where, years before, he had seen a 
cavern’s yawning mouth, and a great heap of shining 
treasures, and two princes dying of hunger. But now, 
upon the selfsame spot there stood a frowning fortress, 
dark and gloomy and strong, which Siegfried himself 
had built in after-years ; and the iron gates were barred 
and bolted fast, and no living being was anywhere to be 
seen. 

Loud and long did Siegfried, wrapped in his cloak of 
darkness, knock and call outside. At last a grim old 
giant, who sat within, and kept watch and ward of the 
gate, cried out, — 

“ Who knocks there ? ” 

Siegfried, angrily and in threatening tones, an- 
swered, — 

“ Open the gate at once, lazy laggard, and ask no 
questions. A stranger, who has lost his way among 
the mountains, seeks shelter from the storm which is 
coming. Open the gate without delay, or I will break 
it down upon your dull head.” 

Then the giant in hot anger seized a heavy iron beam, 
and flung the gate wide open, and leaped quickly out to 
throttle the insolent stranger. Warily he glanced around 


88 


The Story of Siegfried. 


on every side; but Siegfried was clad in the magic 
Tarnkappe, and the giant could see no one. Amazed 
and ashamed, he turned to shut the gate, and to go 
again to his place; for he began to believe that a fool- 
ish dream had awakened and deceived him. Then the 
unseen Siegfried seized him from behind ; and though 
he struggled hard, and fought with furious strength, 
our hero threw him upon the ground, and bound him 
with cords of sevenfold strength. 

The unwonted noise at the gate rang through the 
castle, and awakened the sleeping inmates. The dwarf 
Alberich, who kept the fortress against Siegfried’s 
return, and who watched the Nibelungen treasure, 
which was stored in the hollow hill, arose, and donned 
his armor, and hurried to the giant’s help. A right 
stout dwarf was Alberich ; and, as we have seen in a 
former adventure, he was as bold as stout. Armed in a 
war-coat of steel, he ran out to the gate, flourishing 
a seven-thonged whip, on each thong of which a heavy 
golden ball was hung. Great was his amazement and 
his wrath when he saw the giant lying bound and help- 
less upon the ground ; and with sharp, eager eyes he 
peered warily around to see if, perchance, he might 
espy his hidden foe. But, when he could find no one, 
his anger grew hotter than before, and he swung his 
golden scourge fiercely about his head. Well was it for 
Siegfried then, that the Tarnkappe hid him from sight ; 
for the dwarf kept pounding about in air so sturdily 
and strong, that, even as it was, he split the hero’s 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


189 


shield from the centre to the rim. Then Siegfried 
rushed quickly upon the doughty little fellow, and 
seized him by his long gray beard, and threw him so 
roughly upon the ground, that Alberich shrieked with 
pain. 

“Spare me, I pray you,” he cried. “I know that 
you are no mean knight ; and, if I had not promised 
to serve my master Siegfried until death, I fain would 
acknowledge you as my lord.” 

But Siegfried bound the writhing dwarf, and placed 
him, struggling and helpless, by the side of the giant. 

“Tell me, now, your name, I pray,” said the dwarf; 
“for I must give an account of this adventure to my 
master when he comes.” 

“ Who is your master ? ” 

“His name is Siegfried - ; and he is king of the Nibe- 
lungens, and lord, by right, of the great Nibelungen 
Hoard. To me and to my fellows he long ago intrusted 
the keeping of this castle and of the Hoard that lies 
deep hidden in the hollow hill ; and I have sworn to 
keep it safe until his return.” 

Then Siegfried threw off his Tarnkappe, and stood 
in his own proper person before the wonder-stricken 
dwarf. 

“Noble Siegfried,” cried the delighted Alberich, 
“right glad I am that you have come again to claim 
your own. Spare my life, and pardon me, I pray, and 
let me know what is your will. Your bidding shall be 
done at once.” 


90 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Hasten, then,” said Siegfried, loosing him from his 
bonds, — “hasten, and arouse my Nibelungen hosts. 
Tell them that their chief has come again to Mist 
Land, and that he has work for them to do.” 

Then Alberich, when he had set the giant gate- 
keeper free, sent heralds to every town and castle in 
the land to make known the words and wishes of Sieg- 
fried. And the gallant Nibelungen warriors, when 
they heard that their liege lord had come again, sprang 
up joyously, and girded on their armor, and hastened to 
obey his summons. And soon the strong-built castle 
was full of noble men, — of earls, and the faithful liege- 
men who had known Siegfried of old. And joyful and 
happy were the words of greeting. 

In the mean while, Alberich had busied himself in 
preparing a great feast for liis master and his master’s 
chieftains. In the long low hall that the dwarfs had 
hollowed out within the mountain’s heart, the table was 
spread, and on it was placed every delicacy that could 
be wished. There were fruits and wines from the 
sunny South-land, and snow-white loaves made from the 
wheat of Gothland, and fish from Old Aigir’s kingdom, 
and venison from the king’s wild-wood, and the flesh of 
many a fowl most delicately baked, and, near the head 
of the board, a huge wild boar roasted whole. And 
the hall was lighted by a thousand tapers, each held in 
the hands of a swarthy elf ; and the guests were served 
by the elf-women, who ran hither and thither, obedient 
to every call. But Alberich, at Siegfried’s desire, sat 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


191 


upon the dais at his lord’s right hand. Merriment 
ruled the hour, and happy greetings were heard on 
every side. And, when the feast was at its height, a 
troop of hill-folk came dancing into the hall ; and a 
hundred little fiddlers, perched in the niches of the 
wall, made merry music, and kept time for the busy, 
clattering little feet. And when the guests had tired 
of music and laughter, and the dancers had gone away, 
and the tables no longer groaned under the weight of 
good cheer, Siegfried and his earls still sat at their 
places, and beguiled the hours with pleasant talk and 
with stories of the earlier days. And Alberich, as the 
master of the feast, told a tale of the dwarf-folk, and 
how once they were visited in their hill-home by Loki 
the Mischief-maker. 

alberich’s story. 

My story begins with the Asa-folk, and has as much 
to do with the gods as with my kinsmen the dwarfs. 
It happened long ago, when the. world was young, and 
the elf-folk had not yet lost all their ancient glory. 

Sif, as you all know, is Thor’s young wife, and she is 
very fair. It is said, too, that she is as gentle and 
lovable as her husband is rude and strong; and that 
while he rides noisily through storm and wind, furiously 
fighting the foes of the mid-world, she goes quietly 
about, lifting up the down-trodden, and healing the 
broken-hearted. In the summer season, when the 
Thunderer has driven the Storm-giants back to their 


192 


The Story of Siegfried. 


mist-hidden mountain homes, and the black clouds have 
been rolled away, and piled upon each other in the far 
east, Sif comes gleefully tripping through the meadows, 
raising up the bruised flowers, and with smiles calling 
the frightened birds from their hiding-places to frolic 
and sing in the fresh sunshine again. The growing 
fields and the grassy mountain slopes are hers ; and the 
rustling green leaves, and the sparkling dewdrops, and 
the sweet odors of spring blossoms, and the glad songs 
of the summer-time, follow in her footsteps. 

Sif, as I have said, is very fair ; and, at the time of 
my story, there was one thing of which she was a trifle 
vain. That was her long silken hair, which fell in 
glossy waves almost to her feet. On calm, warm days, 
she liked to sit by the side of some still pool, and gaze 
at her own beauty pictured in the water below, while, 
like the sea-maidens of old ^Egir’s kingdom, she 
combed and braided her rich, flowing tresses. And in 
all the mid-world nothing has ever been seen so like 
the golden sunbeams as was Sif "s silken hair. 

At that time the cunning Mischief-maker, Loki, was 
still living with the Asa-folk. And, as you well know, 
this evil worker was never pleased save when he was 
plotting trouble for those who were better than himself. 
He liked to meddle with business which was not his 
own, and was always trying to mar the pleasures of 
others. His tricks and jokes were seldom of the harm- 
less kind, and yet great good sometimes grew out of 
them. 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


193 


When Loki saw how proud Sif was of her long hair, 
and how much time she spent in combing and arran- 
ging it, he planned a very cruel piece of mischief. He 
hid himself in a little rocky cavern, near the pool where 
Sif was wont to sit, and slily watched her all the morn- 
ing as she braided and unbraided her flowing silken 
locks. At last, overcome by the heat of the mid-day 
sun, she fell asleep upon the grassy bank. Then the 
Mischief-maker quietly crept near, and with his sharp 
shears cut off all that wealth of hair, and' shaved her 
head until it was as smooth as her snow-white hand. 
Then he hid himself again in the little cave, and 
chuckled with great glee at the wicked thing he had 
done. 

By and by Sif awoke, and looked into the stream ; 
but she started quickly back with horror and affright 
at the image which she saw. She felt of her shorn 
head ; and, when she learned that those rich waving 
tresses which had been her joy and pride were no 
longer there, she knew not what to do. Hot, burning 
tears ran down her cheeks, and with sobs and shrieks 
she began to call aloud for Thor. Forthwith there 
was a terrible uproar. The lightning flashed, and the 
thunder rolled, and an earthquake shook the rocks and 
trees. Loki, looking out from his hiding-place, saw 
that Thor was coming, and he trembled with fear ; for 
he knew, that, should the Thunderer catch him, he 
would have to pay dearly for his wicked sport. He ran 
quickly out of the cavern, and leaped into the river, and 


i 9 4 


The Story of Siegfried. 


changed himself into a salmon, and swam as swiftly as 
he could away from the shore. 

But Thor was not so easily fooled ; for he had long 
known Loki, and was acquainted with all his cunning 
ways. So when he saw Sif bewailing her stolen hair, 
and beheld the frightened salmon hurrying alone 
towards the deep water, he was at no loss to know 
whose work this mischief was. Straightway he took 
upon himself the form of a sea-gull, and soared high up 
over the water. Then, poising a moment in the air, he 
darted, swift as an arrow, down into the river. When 
he arose from the water, he held the struggling salmon 
tightly grasped in his strong talons. 

“Vile Mischief-maker!” cried Thor, as he alighted 
upon the top of a neighboring crag : “ I know thee 
who thou art ; and I will make thee bitterly rue the 
work of this day. Limb from limb will I tear thee, 
and thy bones will I grind into powder.” 

Loki, when he saw that he could not by any means 
get away from the angry Thunderer, changed himself 
back to his own form, and humbly said to Thor, — 

“ What if you do your worst with me ? Will that 
give back a single hair to Sif’s shorn head ? What I 
did was only a thoughtless joke, and I really meant 
no harm. Do but spare my life, and I will more than 
make good the mischief I have done.” 

“ How can that be ? ” asked Thor. 

“ I will hie me straight to the secret smithies of 
dwarfs,” answered Loki; “and those cunning little 


195 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


kinsmen of mine shall make golden tresses for fair Sif, 
which will grow upon her head like other hair, and cause 
her to be an hundred-fold more beautiful than before.” 

Thor knew that Loki was a slippery fellow, and that 
he did not always do what he promised, and hence he 
would not let him go. He called to Frey, who had just 
come up, and said, — 

“Come, cousin Frey, help me to rid the world of 
this sly thief. While I hold fast to his raven hair,’ and 
his long slim arms, do you seize him by the heels, and 
we will give his limbs to the fishes, and his body to the 
birds, for food.” 

Loki, now thoroughly frightened, wept, and kissed 
Frey’s feet, and humbly begged for mercy. And he 
promised that he would bring from the dwarfs smithy, 
not only the golden hair for Sif, but also a mighty ham- 
mer for Thor, and a swift steed for Frey. So earnest 
were his words, and so pitiful was his plea, that Thor 
at last set the trembling Mischief-maker free, and bade 
him hasten away on his errand. Quickly, then, he 
went in search of the smithy of the dwarfs. 

He crossed the desert moorlands, and came, after 
three days, to the bleak hill-country, and the rugged 
mountain-land of the South. There the earthquake had 
split the mountains apart, and dug dark and bottom- 
less gorges, and hollowed out many a low-walled cav- 
ern, where the light of day was never seen. Through 
deep, winding ways, and along narrow crevices, Loki 
crept ; and he glided under huge rocks, and downward 


196 


The Story of Siegfried . 


through slanting, crooked clefts, until at last he came 
to a great underground hall, where his eyes were dazzled 
by a light which was stronger and brighter than day ; 
for on every side were glowing fires, roaring in wonder- 
ful little forges, and blown by wonderful little bellows. 
And the vaulted roof above was thickly set with dia- 
monds and precious stones, that sparkled and shone 
like thousands of bright stars in the blue sky. And 
the little dwarfs, with comical brown faces, and wear- 
ing strange leathern aprons, and carrying heavy ham- 
mers, were hurrying here and there, each busy at his 
task. Some were smelting pure gold from the coarse 
rough rocks ; others were making precious gems, and 
rich rare jewels, such as the proudest king would be 
glad to wear. Here, one was shaping pure, ♦round 
pearls from dewdrops and maidens’ tears ; there, an- 
other wrought green emeralds from the first leaves of 
spring. So busy were they all, that they neither 
stopped nor looked up when Loki came into their hall, 
but all kept hammering and blowing and working, as if 
their lives depended upon their being always busy. 

After Loki had curiously watched their movements 
for sometime, he spoke to the dwarf whose forge was 
nearest to him, and made known his errand. But the 
little fellow was fashioning a flashing diamond, which 
he called the Mountain of Light ; and he scarcely 
looked up as he answered, — 

“ I do not work in gold. Go to Ivald’s sons : they 
will make whatever you wish.” 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


1 97 


To Ivald’s sons, then, in the farthest and brightest 
corner of the hall, Loki went. They very readily 
agreed to make the golden hair for Sif, and they began 
the work at once. A lump of purest gold was brought, 
and thrown into the glowing furnace ; and it was melt- 
ed and drawn, and melted and drawn, seven times. 
Then it was given to a little brown elf with merry, 
twinkling eyes, who carried it with 'all speed to another 
part of the great hall, where the dwarfs’ pretty wives 
were spinning. One of the little women took the yellow 
lump from the elf’s hands, and laid it, like flax, upon 
her spinning-wheel. Then she sat down and began to 
spin ; and, as she span, the dwarf-wives sang a strange, 
sweet song of the old, old days when the dwarf-folk 
ruled the- world. And the tiny brown elves danced 
gleefully around the spinner, and the thousand little 
anvils rang out a merry chorus to the music of the sing- 
ers. And the yellow gold was twisted into threads, 
and the threads ran into hair softer than silk, and finer 
than gossamer. And at last the dwarf-woman held in 
her hand long golden tresses ten times more beautiful 
than the amber locks that Loki had cut from Sif ’s fair 
head. When Ivald’s sons, proud of their skill, gave 
the rare treasure to the Mischief-maker, Loki smiled 
as if he were well pleased; but in his heart he was 
angry because the dwarfs had made so fair a piece of 
workmanship. Then he said, — 

“This is, indeed, very handsome, and will be very 
becoming to Sif. Oh, what an uproar was made about 


198 


The Story of Siegfried. 


those flaxen tresses that she loved so well ! And that 
reminds me that her husband, the gruff old Giant-killer, 
wants a hammer. I promised to get him one ; and, if 
I fail, he will doubtless be rude with me. I pray you 
make such a hammer as will be of most use to him in 
fighting the Jotuns, and you may win favor both for 
yourselves and me.” 

“Not now,” said- the elder of Ivald’s sons. “We 
cannot make it now ; for who would dare to send a 
present to Thor before he has offered one to Odin, the 
great All-Father ? ” 

“Make me, then, a gift for Odin,” cried Loki ; “and 
he will shelter me from the Thunderer’s wrath.” 

So the dwarfs put iron into their furnace, and heated 
it to a glowing white-heat ; and then they drew it out, 
and rolled it upon their anvils, and pounded it with 
heavy hammers, until they had wrought a wondrous 
spear, such as no man had ever seen. Then they in- 
laid it with priceless jewels, and plated the point with 
gold seven times tried. 

“This is the spear Gungner,” said they. “Take' it 
to the great All-Father as the best gift of his humble 
earth-workers.” 

“Make me now a present for Frey the gentle,” said 
Loki. “ I owe my life to him ; and I have promised to 
take him a swift steed that will bear him everywhere.” 

Then Ivald’s sons threw gold into the furnace, and 
blew with their bellows until the very roof of the great 
cave-hall seemed to tremble, and the smoke rolled up 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


199 


the wide chimney, and escaped in dense fumes from 
the mountain-top. When they left off working, and the 
fire died away, a fairy ship, with masts and sails, and 
two banks of long oars, and a golden dragon stem, rose 
out of the glowing coals ; and it grew in size until it 
filled a great part of the hall, and might have furnished 
room for a thousand warriors with their arms and 
steeds. Then, at a word from the dwarfs, it began to 
shrink, and it became smaller and smaller until it was 
no broader than an oak-leaf. And the younger of 
Ivald’s sons folded it up like a napkin, and gave it to 
Loki, saying, — 

“Take this to Frey the gentle. It is the ship Skid- 
bladner. When it is wanted for a voyage, it will carry 
all the Asa-folk and their weapons and stores ;. and, no 
matter where they wish to go, the wind will always 
drive it straight to the desired port. But, when it is 
not needed, the good Frey may fold it up, as I have 
done, and carry it safely in his pocket.” 

Loki was much pleased; and, although he felt dis- 
appointed because he had no present for Thor, he 
heartily thanked the dwarfs for their kindness; and 
taking the golden hair, and the spear Gungner, and the 
ship Skidbladner, he bade Ivald’s sons good-by, and 
started for home. But, before he reached the narrow, 
doorway which led out of the cave, he met two crooked- 
backed dwarfs, much smaller, and much uglier than any 
he had seen before. 

“ What have you there ? ” asked one of them, whose 
name was Brok. 


200 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Hair for Sif, a spear for Odin, and a ship for Frey,’* 
answered Loki. 

“Let us see them,” said Brok. 

Loki kindly showed them the strange gifts, and told 
them, that, in his belief, no dwarfs in all the world had 
ever before wrought such wonderful things. 

“Who made them ? ” inquired Brok. 

“ Ivald’s sons.” 

“ Ah ! Ivald’s sons sometimes do good work, but 
there are many other dwarfs who can do better. For 
instance, my brother Sindre, who stands here, can 
make three other treasures altogether as good as those 
you have.” 

“ It cannot be ! ” cried Loki. 

“I tell you the truth,” said the dwarf. “And, to 
show you that I mean just what I say, I will wager 
against your head all the diamonds in the ceiling above 
us, that he will make not only as good treasures, but 
those which the Asas will esteem much higher.” 

“Agreed!” cried Loki, — “agreed! I take the 
wager. Let your brother try his skill at once.” 

The three went straightway to Sindre’s forge, and 
the brothers began their task. When the fire was roar- 
ing hot, and the sparks flew from the chimney like 
showers of shooting-stars, Sindre put a pig-skin into the 
furnace, and bade Brok blow the bellows with all his 
might, and never stop until he should speak the word. 
The flames leaped up white and hot, and the furnace, 
glowed with a dazzling light, while Brok plied the 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 


201 


bellows, and Sindre, with unblinking eyes, watched 
the slowly changing colors that played around the 
melted and shapeless mass within. While the brothers 
were thus intent upon their work, Loki changed him- 
self to a great horse-fly, and settled upon Brok’s hand, 
and bit him without mercy. But the dwarf kept on 
blowing the bellows, and stopped not until his brother 
cried out, — 

“ Enough ! ” 

Then Sindre drew out of the flickering blue flames 
a huge wild boar with long tusks of ivory, and golden 
bristles that glittered and shone like the beams of the 
sun. 

“This is Golden Bristle,” said the dwarf. “It is the 
gift of Brok and his brother to the gentle Frey. His 
ship Skidbladner can carry him only over the sea; 
but Golden Bristle shall be a trusty steed that will bear 
him with the speed of the wind over the land or 
through the air.” 

Next the dwarfs threw gold into the furnace, and 
Brok plied the bellows, and Sindre gaze.d into the 
flames, as before. And the great horse-fly buzzed in 
Brok’s face, and darted at his eyes, and at last settled 
upon his neck, and stung him until the pain caused big 
drops of sweat to roll off of his forehead. But the 
dwarf stopped not nor faltered, until his brother again 
cried out, — 

“ Enough ! ” 

This time Sindre drew out a wondrous ring of solid 


202 


The Story of Siegfried . 


gold, sparkling all over with the rarest and most costly 
jewels. 

“This is the ring Draupner,” said he. “It is well 
worthy to be worn on Odin’s finger. Every ninth day 
eight other rings, equal to it in every way, shall drop 
from it. It shall enrich the earth, and make the desert 
blossom as the rose ; and it shall bring plentiful har- 
vests, and fill the farmers’ barns with grain, and their 
houses with glad good cheer. Take it to the All- 
Father as the best gift of the earth-folk to him and to 
mankind.” 

After this the dwarfs took iron which had been 

| 

brought from the mountains of Norse Land ; and, after 
beating it upon their bellows until it glowed white and 
hot, Sindre threw it into the furnace. 

“This shall be the gift of gifts,” said he to Brok. 
“ Ply the bellows as before, and do not, for your life, 
stop or falter until the work is done.” 

But as Brok blew the bellows, and his brother gazed 
into the glowing fire, the horse-fly came again. This 
time he settled between the dwarf’s eyes, and stung his 
eyelids until the blood filled his eyes, and ran down his 
cheeks, and blinded him so that he could not see. At 
last, in sore distress, and wild with pain, Brok let go of 
the bellows, and lifted his hand to drive the fly away. 
Then Sindre drew his work out of the furnace. It was 
a blue steel hammer, well made in every way, save that 
the handle was half an inch too short. 

“This is the mighty Mjolner,” said Sindre to Loki, 


In Nibelungen Land Again. 203 

who had again taken his proper shape. “The Thun- 
derer may have the hammer that you promised him ; 
although it is our gift, and not yours. The stoutest 
giant will not be able now to cope with Thor. No 
shield, nor armor, nor mountain-wall, nor, indeed, any 
thing on earth, shall be proof against the lightning- 
strokes of Mjolner.” 

And Brok took the three treasures which Sindre had 
fashioned, and went with Loki to Asgard, the home of 
the Asa-folk. And they chose Odin and Thor and Frey 
to examine and judge which was best, — Loki’s three 
gifts, the work of Ivald’s sons ; or Brok’s three gifts, 
the work of Sindre. When the judges were seated, 
and all were in readiness, Loki went forward and gave 
to Odin the spear Gungner, that would always hit the 
mark; and to Frey he gave the ship Skidbladner, that 
would sail whithersoever he wished. Then he gave 
the golden hair to Thor, who placed it upon the head 
of fair Sif ; and it grew there, and was a thousand-fold 
more beautiful than the silken tresses she had worn 
before. 

After the Asas had carefully looked at these treasures, 
and talked of their merits, little Brok came humbly 
forward and offered his gifts. To Odin he gave the 
precious ring Draupner, already dropping richness. To 
Frey he gave the boar Golden Bristle, telling him that 
wherever he chose to go this steed would serve him 
well, and would carry him faster than any horse, while 
his shining bristles would light the way on the darkest 


204 


The Story of Siegfried . 


night or in the gloomiest path. At last he gave to 
Thor the hammer Mjolner, and said that it, like Odin’s 
spear, would never miss the mark, and that whatever 
it struck, it would crush in pieces, and whithersoever 
it might be hurled, it would come back to his hand 
again. 

Then the Asas declared at once that Thor’s hammer 
was. the best of all the gifts, and that the dwarf had 
fairly won the wager. But, when Brok demanded Loki’s 
head as the price of the wager, the cunning Mischief- 
maker said, — 

“My head is, by the terms of our agreement, yours ; 
but my neck is my own, and you shall not on any 
account touch or harm it.” 1 

So Brok went back to his brother and his smithy 
without the head of Loki, but he was loaded with rich 
and rare presents from the Asa-folk. 

1 See Note 26 at the end of this volume. 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 205 


ADVENTURE XVI. 


HOW BRUNHILD WAS WELCOMED 
HOME. 

When the next morning’s sun arose, and its light 
gilded the mountain peaks, and fell in a flood of splen- 
dor down upon the rich uplands and the broad green 
fields of Nibelungen Land, Siegfried, with his earls and 
mighty men, rode through the valley, and down to the 
seashore. There a pleasant sight met his eyes : for the 
little bay was white with the sails of a hundred gold- 
beaked vessels which lay at anchor ; and on the sandy, 
beach there stood in order three thousand warriors, 
— the bravest and the best of all the Nibelungens, — 
clad in armor, and ready to hear ,and to do their 
master’s bidding. And Siegfried told them why he 
had thus hastily called them together; and he gave 
to each one rich gifts of gold and jewels and costly 
raiment. Then he chose from among them one thou- 
sand of the most trustworthy, who should follow him 
back to Isenland ; and these went aboard the waiting 
vessels, amid the cheers and the farewells of their com- 
rades who were left behind. And when every thing 


206 The Story of Siegfried. 

was in readiness, the anchors were hoisted and the sails 
were set, and the little fleet, wafted by pleasant winds, 
sailed out of the bay, and eastward across the calm 
blue sea. And Siegfried’s vessel, with a golden dragon 
banner floating from the masthead, led all the rest. 

On the fourth day after Siegfried’s departure from 
Isenland, Dankwart and grim old Hagen sat in a room 
of the castle at Isenstein. Outside and below they 
heard the fair-haired warriors of Queen Brunhild 
pacing to and fro, and ready, at a word, to seize 
upon the strangers, and either to put them to death, 
or to drive them forever from the land. Old Hagen’s 
brows were closely knit, and his face was dark as a 
thunder-cloud, and his hands played nervously with his 
sword-hilt, as he said, — • 

“Where now is Gunther, the man whom we once 
called king ? ” 

. “He is standing on the balcony above, talking with 
the queen and her maidens,” answered Dankwart. 

“The craven that he is !” cried Hagen hoarsely. 
“ Once he was a king, and worthy to be obeyed ; but 
now who is the king ? That upstart Siegfried has 
but to say what shall be done, and our master Gunther, 
blindly and like a child, complies. Four days ago we 
might have taken ship, and sailed safely home. Now 
our vessel is gone, the boasted hero is gone, and nothing 
is left for us to do but to fight and die.” 

“ But we are sure of Odin’s favor,” returned Dank- 
wart ; and a wild light gleamed from his eyes, and he 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 207 


brandished his sword high over his head. “ A pl3.ce in 
Valhal is promised to us ; for, him who bravely dies 
with his blood-stained sword beside him and his heart 
unrent with fears, the All-Father’s victory-wafters will 
gently carry home. Even now, methinks, I sit in the 
banqueting-hall of the heroes, and quaff the flowing 
mead.” 

In the mean while Gunther stood with Queen Brun- 
hild at an upper window, and looked out upon the great 
sea that spread forever and away towards the setting 
sun. And all at once, as if by magic, the water was 
covered with white-sailed ships, which, driven by friendly 
winds and the helping hands of Aigir’s daughters and 
the brawny arms of many a stalwart oarsman, came 
flying towards the bay. 

“ What ships are those with the snow-white sails and 
the dragon-stems ? ” asked Brunhild, wondering. 

Gunther gazed for a moment towards the swift-coming 
fleet, and his eyes were gladdened with the sight of 
Siegfried’s dragon-banner floating from the vessel in 
the van. A great load seemed lifted from his breast, 
for now he knew that the hoped-for help was at hand. 
And, smiling he answered the queen, — 

“ Those white-sailed ships are mine. My body-guard 
— a thousand of my trustiest fighting-men — are on 
board, and every man is ready to die for me.” 

And as the vessels came into the harbor, and the 
sailors furled the sails, and cast the anchors into the 


208 


The Story of Siegfried. 


sea, Siegfried was seen standing on the golden prow of 
his ship, arrayed in princely raiment, with his earls and 
chiefs around him. And their bright armor glittered 
in the sunlight, and their burnished shields shone like 
so many golden mirrors. A fairer sight had the folk of 
Isenstein never seen. 

Long and earnestly Queen Brunhild gazed, and then, 
turning away, she burst into tears ; for she knew that 
she had been again outwitted, and that it was vain for 
her to struggle against the Noras’ decrees. Then, 
crushing back the grief and the sore longing that rose 
in her heart, she spoke again to Gunther, and her 
eyes shone stern and strange. 

“ What now will you have me do ?*” she asked ; “ for 
you have fairly won me, and my wayward fancies shall 
no longer vex you. Shall I greet your friends with 
kindness, or shall we send them back again over the 
sea ? ” 

“I pray you give them welcome to the broad halls 
of Isenstein,” he answered; “for no truer, nobler men 
live than these my liegemen.” 

So the queen sent word to Siegfried and his Nibe- 
lungen warriors to leave the ships and come ashore. 
And she herself, as radiant now as a morning in May, 
went down to meet them and welcome them. Then 
she had a great feast made in honor of the heroes, and 
the long, low-raftered feast-hall rang with the sounds 
of merriment, instead of with the clash of arms. The 
fair-haired, blue-eyed warriors of the queen sat side by 


• How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 209 


side with the tall strangers from over the sea. And 
in the high-seat was Brunhild, her face exceeding pale, 
yet beauteous to behold ; and by her side sat Gunther, 
smiling and glad, and clad in his kingly raiments. And 
around them were the earls and chieftains, and many a 
fair lady of Isenland, and Hagen, smiling through his 
frowns, and Dankwart, now grown fearless, and Sieg- 
fried, sad and thoughtful. Mirth and gladness ruled 
the hour, and not until the morning star began to fade 
in the coming sunlight did the guests retire to rest. 

Only a few days longer did the heroes tarry in Isen- 
land ; for the mild spring days were growing warmer, 
and all faces were southward turned, and the queen 
herself was anxious to haste to her South-land home. 
When, at last, the time for leave-taking came, the folk 
of Isenland gathered around to bid their queen God- 
speed. Then Brunhild called to Dankwart, and gave 
him her golden keys, and bade him unlock her closets 
where her gold and jewels were stored, and to scatter 
with hands unstinted her treasures among the poor. 
And many were the tearful blessings, and many the 
kind words said, as the radiant queen went down to 
the waiting, white-winged vessel, and stepped aboard 
with Gunther and the heroes of the Rhine. But she 
was not to go alone to the land of strangers ; for with 
her were to sail a hundred fair young damsels, and 
more than fourscore noble dames, and two thousand 
blue-eyed warriors, the bravest of her land. 

When all had gone on board the waiting fleet, the 


2 IO 


The Story of Siegfried . 


anchors were hoisted, and the sails were unfurled to 
the breeze ; and amid the tearful farewells of friends, 
and the joyful shouting of the sailors, the hundred 
heavy-laden vessels glided from the bay, and were soon 
far out at sea. And the sorrowing folk of Isenland 
turned away, and went back to their daily tasks, and to 
the old life of mingled pain and pleasure, of shadow 
and sunshine ; and they never saw their loved warrior- 
queen again. 

The gay white fleet, with its precious cargo of noble 
men and fair ladies, sped swiftly onwards through Old 
Aigir’s kingdom ; and it seemed as if Queen Ran had 
forgotten to spread her nets, so smooth and quiet was 
the sea ; and the waves slept on the peaceful bosom of 
the waters : only Ripple and Sky-clear danced in the 
wake of the flying ships, and added to the general joy. 
And on shipboard music and song enlivened the drag- 
ging hours ; and from morn till eve no sounds were 
heard, save those of merriment and sport, and glad good 
cheer. Yet, as day after day passed by, and no sight 
met their eyes but the calm blue waters beneath, and 
the calm blue sky above, all began to wish for a view, 
once more, of the solid earth, and the fields, and the 
wild greenwood. But the ships sailed steadily on- 
ward, and every hour brought them nearer and nearer 
to the wished-for haven. 

At length, on the ninth day, they came in sight of a 
long, flat coast, stretching far away towards the Low- 
lands, where Old zEgir and his daughters — sometimes 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 2 1 1 


by wasting warfare, sometimes by stealthy strategy — 
ever plot and toil to widen the Sea-king’s domains. 
When the sailors saw the green shore rising up, as it 
were, out of the quiet water, and the wild woodland 
lying dense and dark beyond, and when they knew- that 
they were nearing the end of their long sea-voyage, they 
rent the air with their joyful shouts. And a brisker 
breeze sprang up, and filled the sails, and made the ships 
leap forward over the water, like glad living creatures. 

It was then that the thought came to King Gunther 
that he ought to send fleet heralds to Burgundy-land 
to make known the happy issue of his bold emprise, 
and to tell of his glad home-coming, with Brunhild, the 
warrior-maiden, as his queen. So he called old Hagen 
to him, and told him of his thoughts, and asked him if 
he would be that herald. 

“ Nay,” answered the frowning chief. “ No bearer of 
glad tidings am I. To every man Odin has given gifts. 
To some he has given light hearts, and cheery faces, 
and glad voices ; and such alone are fitted to carry 
good news and happy greetings. To others he has 
given darker souls, and less lightsome faces, and more 
uncouth manners ; and these may bear the brunt of the 
battle, and rush with Odin’s heroes to the slaughter : 
but they would be ill at ease standing in the presence 
of fair ladies, or telling glad tidings at court. Let me 
still linger, I pray, on board this narrow ship, and send 
your friend Siegfried as herald to Burgundy-land. He 
is well fitted for such a duty.” 


212 


The Story of Siegfried . 


So Gunther sent at once for Siegfried, to whom, 
when he had come, he said, — 

“ My best of friends, although we are now in sight of 
land, our voyage still is a long one ; for the river is yet 
far away, and, when it is reached, its course is winding, 
and the current will be against us, and our progress 
must needs be slow. The folk at home have had no 
tidings from us since we left them in the early spring ; 
and no doubt their hearts grow anxious, and they long 
to hear of our whereabouts, and whether we prosper 
or no. Now, as we near the headland which juts out 
dark and green before us, we will set you on shore, 
with the noble Greyfell, and as many comrades as you 
wish, to haste with all speed to Burgundy, to tell the 
glad news of our coming to the loved ones waiting 
there.” 

Siegfried at first h'eld back, and tried to excuse him- 
self from undertaking this errand, — not because he felt 
any fear of danger, but because he scorned to l?e any 
man’s thrall, to go and do at his beck and bidding. 
Then Gunther spoke again, and in a different tone. 

“ Gentle Siegfried,” he said, “if you will not do this 
errand for my sake, I pray that you will undertake it 
for the sake of my sister, the fair Kriemhild, who has 
so long waited for our coming.” 

Then willingly did the prince agree to be the king’s 
herald. And on the morrow the ship touched land ; 
and Siegfried bade his companions a short farewell, and 
went ashore with four and twenty Nibelungen chiefs, 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 213 


who were, to ride with him to Burgundy. And, when 
every thing was in readiness, he mounted the noble 
Greyfell, as did also each warrior his favorite steed, and 
they galloped briskly away ; and their glittering armor 
and nodding plumes were soon lost to sight among the 
green trees of the wood. And the ship which bore 
Gunther and his kingly party weighed anchor, and 
moved slowly along the shore towards the distant 
river’s mouth. 

For many days, and through many strange lands, rode 
Siegfried and his Nibelungen chiefs. They galloped 
through the woodland, and over a stony waste, and 
came to a peopled country rich in farms and meadows, 
and dotted with pleasant towns. And the folk of that 
land wondered greatly at sight of the radiant Siegfried, 
and the tall warriors with him, and their noble steeds, 
and their sunbright armor. For they thought that it 
was a company of the gods riding through the mid- 
world,- as the gods were wont to do in the golden days 
of old. So they greeted them with smiles, and kind, 
good words, and scattered flowers and blessings in their 
way. 

They stopped for a day in Vilkina-land, where dwelt 
one Eigill, a famous archer, who, it is said, was a brother 
of Veliant, Siegfried’s fellow-apprentice in the days of 
his boyhood. And men told them this story of Eigill. 
That once on a time old Nidung, the king of that land, 
in order to test his skill with the bow, bade him shoot 
an apple, or, as some say, an acorn, from the head of 


214 


The Story of Siegfried. 


his own little son. And Eigill did this ; but two other 
arrows, which he had hidden beneath his coat, dropped 
to the ground. And when the king asked him what 
these were for he answered, “To kill thee, wretch, had I 
slain my child.” 1 

After this our heroes rode through a rough hill- 
country, where the ground was covered with sharp 
stones, and the roads were steep and hard. And their 
horses lost their shoes, and were so lamed by the 
travel, that they were forced to turn aside to seek the 
house of one Welland, a famous smith, who re-shod 
their steeds, and entertained them most kindly three 
days and nights. And it is said by some that Welland 
is but another name for Veliant, and that this was the 
selfsame foreman whom we knew in Siegfried’s younger 
days. But, be this as it may, he was at this time the 
master of all smiths, and no one ever wrought more 
cunningly. And men say that his grandfather was 
Vilkinus, the first king of that land; and that his 
grandmother, Wachitu, was a fair mermaid, who lived 
in the deep green sea ; and that his father, Wada, had 
carried him, when a child, upon his shoulders through 
water five fathoms deep, to apprentice him to the cun- 
ning dwarfs, from whom he learned his trade. And 
if this story is true, he could not have been Veliant. 
He was wedded to a beautiful lady, who sometimes 
took the form of a swan, and flew away to a pleasant 
lake near by, where, with other swan-maidens, she 


1 See Note 27 at the end of this volume. 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 215 


spent the warm summer days among the reeds and the 
water-lilies. And many other strange tales were told 
of Welland the smith : how he had once made a boat 
from the single trunk of a tree, and had sailed in it 
all around the mid-world ; how, being lame in one foot, 
he had forged a wondrous winged garment, and flown 
like a falcon through the air ; and how he had wrought 
for Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon hero, a gorgeous war- 
coat that no other smith could equal. 1 And so pleas- 
antly did Welland .entertain his guests that they were 
loath to leave him ; but on the fourth day they bade 
him farewell, and wended again their way. 

Now our heroes rode forward, with greater speed 
than before, across many a mile of waste land, and 
over steep hills, and through pleasant wooded dales. 
Then, again, they came to fair meadows, and broad 
pasture -lands, and fields green with growing corn ; 
and every one whom they met blessed them, and bade 
them a hearty God-speed. Then they left the farm- 
lands and the abodes of men far behind them ; and 
they passed by the shore of a sparkling lake, where 
they heard the swan-maidens talking to each other as 
they swam among the rushes, or singing in silvery 
tones of gladness as they circled in the air above. 
Then they crossed a dreary moor, where nothing grew 
but heather; and they climbed a barren, stony mountain, 
where the feet of men had never been, and came at last 
to a wild, dark forest, where silence reigned undisturbed 
forever. 

1 See Note 28 at the end of this volume. 


216 


The Story of Siegfried. 


It was the wood in which dwells Vidar, the silent 
god, far from the sound of man’s busy voice, in the 
solemn shade of century-living oaks and elms. There 
he sits in quiet but awful grandeur, — strong almost as 
Thor, but holding his mighty strength in check. Hoary 
and gray, he sits alone in Nature’s temple, and com- 
munes with Nature’s self, waiting for the day when 
Nature’s silent but resistless forces shall be quickened 
into dread action. His head is crowned with sear and 
yellow leaves, and long white moss hangs pendent from 
his brows and cheeks, and his garments are rusted with 
age. On his feet are iron shoes, with soles made thick 
with the scraps of leather gathered through centuries 
past ; and with these, it is said, he shall, in the last 
great twilight of the mid-world, rend the jaws of the 
Fenris-wolf. 1 

“Who is this Fenris-wolf?” asked one of the Nibe- 
lungens as they rode through the solemn shadows of 
the wood. 

And Siegfried thereupon related how that fierce crea- 
ture had been brought up and cared for by the Asa-folk ; 
and how, when he grew large and strong, they sought 
to keep him from doing harm by binding him with an 
iron chain called Leding. But the strength of the 
monster was so great, that he burst the chain asunder, 
and escaped. Then the Asas made another chain twice 
as strong, which they called Drome. And they called 
to the wolf, and besought him to allow them to bind 

1 See Note 29 at the end of this volume. 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 217 


him again, so that, in bursting the second chain, he 
might clear up all doubts in regard to his strength. 
Flattered by the words of the Asas, the wolf complied ; 
and they chained him with Drome, and fastened him to 
a great rock. But Fenris stretched his legs, and shook 
himself, and the great chain was snapped in pieces. 
Then the Asas knew that there was no safety for them 
so long as a monster so huge and terrible was unbound ; 
and they besought the swarthy elves to forge them 
another and a stronger chain. This the elves did. 
They made a most wondrous chain, smooth as silk, 
and soft as down, yet firmer than granite, and stronger 
than steel. They called it Gleipner ; and it was made 
of the sinews of a bear, the footsteps of a cat, the beard 
of a woman, the breath of a fish, the sweat of a bird, 
and the roots of a mountain. When the Asas h&d 
obtained this chain, they lured the Fenris-wolf to the 
rocky Island of Lyngve, and by flattery persuaded him 
to be bound again. But this he would not agree to do 
until Tyr placed his hand in his mouth as a pledge of 
good faith. Then they tied him as before, and laugh- 
ingly bade him break the silken cord. The huge creature 
stretched himself as before, and tried with all his might 
to burst away ; but Gleipner held him fast, and the 
worst that he could do was to bite off the hand of 
unlucky Tyr. And this is why Tyr is called the one- 
armed god. 

“ But it is said,” added Siegfried, “that in the last 
twilight the Fenris-wolf will break his chain, and that 


2 1 8 


The Story of Siegfried. 


he will swallow the sun, and slay the great Odin him- 
self, and that none can subdue him save Vidar the 
Silent.” 

It was thus that the heroes conversed with each other 
as they rode through the silent ways of the wood. 

At length, one afternoon in early summer, the little 
company reached the Rhine valley ; and looking down 
from the sloping hill-tops, green with growing corn, 
they saw the pleasant town of the Burgundians and 
the high gray towers of Gunther’s dwelling. And not 
long afterwards they rode through the streets of the 
old town, and, tired and travehstained, halted outside 
of the castle-gates. Very soon it became noised about 
that Siegfried and a company of strange knights, fair 
and tall, had come again to Burgundy and to the home 
of the Burgundian kings. But when it was certainly 
known that neither Gunther the king, nor Hagen of 
the evil eye, nor Dankwart his brother, had returned, 
the people felt many sad misgivings ; for they greatly 
feared that some hard mischance had befallen their 
loved king. Then Gernot and the young Giselher, 
having heard of Siegfried’s arrival, came out with glad 
but anxious faces to greet him. 

“ Welcome, worthy chief!” they cried. “But why 
are you alone ? What are your tidings ? Where is our 
brother ? and where are our brave uncles, Hagen and 
Dankwart ? And who are those strange, fair men who 
ride with you ? And what about Brunhild, the warrior- 
maiden ? Alas ! if our brother has fallen by her cruel 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 219 


might, then woe to Burgundy ! Tell us quickly all about 
it!” 

“ Have patience, friends ! ” answered Siegfried. “ Give 
me time to speak, and I will gladden the hearts of all 
the folk of Burgundy with my news. Your brother 
Gunther is alive and well ; and he is the happiest man 
in the whole mid-world, because he has won the match- 
less Brunhild for his bride. And he is ere now making 
his way up the river with a mighty fleet of a hundred 
vessels and more than 'two thousand warriors. Indeed, 
you may look for him any day. And he has sent me, 
with these my Nibelungen earls, to bid you make ready 
for his glad home-coming.” 

Then, even before he had alighted from Greyfell, he 
went on to tell of the things that had happened at 
Isenstein ; but he said nothing of the part which he 
had taken in the strange contest. And a crowd of eager 
listeners stood around, and heard with unfeigned joy 
of the happy fortune of their king. 

“And now,” said Siegfried to Giselher, when he had 
finished his story, “ carry the glad news to your mother 
and your sister ; for they, too, must be anxious to learn 
what fate has befallen King Gunther.” 

“Nay,” answered the prince, “you yourself are the 
king’s herald, and you shall be the one to break the 
tidings to them. Full glad they’ll be to hear the story 
from your own lips, for long have they feared that our 
brother would never be seen by us again. I will tell 
them of your coming, but you must be the first to tell 
them the news you bring.” 


220 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“Very well,” answered Siegfried. “It shall be as 
you say.” 

Then he dismounted from Greyfell, and, with his 
Nibelungen earls, was shown into the grand hall, where 
they were entertained in a right kingly manner. 

When Kriemhild the peerless, and Ute her mother, 
heard that Siegfried had come again to Burgundy, and 
that he brought news from Gunther the king, they 
hastened to make ready to see him. And, when he 
came before them, he seemed so noble, so bright, and 
so glad, that they knew he bore no evil tidings. 

“Most noble prince,” said Kriemhild, trembling in 
his presence, “right welcome are you to our dwelling! 
But wherefore are you come ? How fares my brother 
Gunther ? Why came he not with you back to Bur- 
gundy-land ? Oh ! undone are we, if, through the cruel 
might of the warrior-queen, he has been lost to us.” 

“ Now give me a herald’s fees ! ” cried Siegfried, 
laughing. “King Gunther is alive and well. In the 
games of strength to which fair Brunhild challenged 
him, he was the winner. And now he comes up the 
Rhine with his bride, and a great retinue of lords and 
ladies and fighting-men. Indeed, the sails of his ships 
whiten the river for miles. And I am come by his 
desire to ask that every thing be made ready for' his 
glad home-coming and the loving welcome of his peer- 
less queen.” 

Great was the joy of Kriemhild and her queenly 
mother when they heard this gladsome news ; and they 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home. 22 l 


thanked the prince most heartily for all that he had 
done. 

“You have truly earned a herald’s fee,” said the 
lovely maiden, “ and gladly would I pay it you in gold ; 
for you have cheered us with pleasant tidings, and light- 
ened our minds of a heavy load. But men of your noble 
rank take neither gifts nor fees, and hence we have 
only to offer our deepest and heartiest thanks.” 

“Not so,” answered Siegfried gayly. “Think not I 
would scorn a fee. Had I a kingdom of thirty realms, 
I should still be proud of a gift from you.” 

“ Then, you shall have your herald’s fee ! ” cried 
Kriemhild ; and she sent her maidens to fetch the gift. 
And with her own lily hands she gave him twenty 
golden bracelets, richly inwrought with every kind of 
rare and costly gem-stones. Happy, indeed, was Sieg- 
fried to take such priceless gift from the hand of so 
peerless a maiden ; and his face shone radiant with sun- 
beams as he humbly bowed, and thanked her. But he 
had no need for the jewels, nor wished he to keep them 
long : so he gave them, with gracious wishes, to the fair 
young maidens at court. 

From this time forward, for many days, there was 
great bustle in Gunther’s dwelling. On every side was 
heard the noise of busy hands, making ready for the 
glad day when the king should be welcomed home. 
The broad halls and the tall gray towers were decked 
with flowers, and floating banners, and many a gay 
device ; the houses and streets of the pleasant burgh 


222 


The Story of Siegfried. 


put on their holiday attire ; the shady road which led 
through Kriemhild’s rose-garden down to the river-banks 
was dusted and swept with daily care ; and the watch- 
man was cautioned to keep on the lookout every moment 
for the coming of the expected fleet. And heralds had 
been sent to every burgh and castle, and to every country- 
side in Burgundy, announcing the happy home-coming 
of Gunther and his bride, and bidding every one, both 
high and low, to the glad merry-making. 

On the morning of the eleventh day, ere the sun had 
dried the dew from the springing grass, the keen-eyed 
watchman, in his perch on the topmost tower, cried out 
in happy accents to the waiting folk below, — 

“ They come at last ! I see the white-winged ships 
still far down the stream. But a breeze springs up 
from the northward, and the sailors are at the oars, and 
swift speed the hastening vessels, as if borne on the 
wings of the wind. Ride forth, O ye brave and fair, to 
welcome the fair and the brave ! ” 

Then quickly the king-folk, and the warriors, and fair 
ladies, mounted their ready steeds, and gayly through 
the gates of the castle they rode out river-wards. And 
Ute, the noble queen-mother, ^went first. And the 
company moved in glittering array, with flying banners, 
and music, and the noisy flourish of drums, adown the 
rose-covered pathway which led to the water’s side. 
And the peerless Kriemhild followed, with a hundred 
lovely maidens, all mounted on snow-white palfreys ; and 
Siegfried, proud and happy, on Greyfell, rode beside her. 


Hoza Brunhild was welcomed Home. 223 

When the party reached the river-bank, a pleasant 
sight met their eyes ; for the fleet had now drawn 
near, and the whole river, as far as the eye could reach, 
glittered with the light reflected from the shield-hung 
rails and the golden prows of the swift-coming ships. 
King Gunther’s own vessel led all the rest ; and the 
king himself stood on the deck, with the glorious Brun- 
hild by his side. Nearer and nearer the fresh breeze 
of the summer morning wafted the vessel to the shore, 
where stood the waiting multitude. Softly the golden 
dragon glided in- to the landing-place, and quickly was 
it moored to the banks ; then Gunther, clad in his 
kingly garments, stepped ashore, and with him his 
lovely queen. And a mighty shout of welcome, and an 
answering shout of gladness, seemed to rend the sky as 
the waiting hosts beheld the sight. And the queen- 
mother Ute, and the peerless Kriemhild, and her kingly 
brothers, went forward to greet the pair. And Kriem- 
hild took Brunhild by the hand, and kissed her, and 
said, — 

“ Welcome, thrice welcome, dear sister ! to thy home 
and thy kindred and thy people, who hail thee as queen. 
And may thy days be full of joyance, and thy years be 
full of peace ! ” 

Then all the folk cried out their goodly greetings ; 
and the sound of their glad voices rang out sweet and 
clear in the morning air, and rose up from the riverside, 
and was echoed among the hill-slopes, and carried over 
the meadows and vineyards, to the farthest bounds of 


224 


The Story of Siegfried. 


Burgundy-land. And the matchless Brunhild, smiling, 
returned the happy greeting ; and her voice was soft 
and sweet, as she said, — 

“ O kin of the fair Rhineland, and folk of my new- 
found home ! may your days be summer sunshine, and 
your lives lack grief and pain ; and may this hour of 
glad rejoicing be the type of all hours to come! ” 

Then the lovely queen was seated in a golden wain 
which stood in waiting for her ; and Gunther mounted 
his own war-steed ; and the whole company made ready 
to ride to the castle. Never before had so pleasant a 
sight been seen in Rhineland, as that glorious array of 
king-folk and lords and ladies wending from river to for- 
tress along the rose-strewn roadway. Foremost went 
the king, and by his side was Siegfried on the radiant 
Greyfell. Then came the queen’s golden wain, drawn by 
two snow-white oxen, which were led with silken cords 
by sweet-faced maidens ; and in it, on an ivory throne 
deep-carved with mystic runes, sat glorious Brunhild. 
Behind rode the queen-mother and her kingly sons, 
and frowning Hagen, and Dankwart, and Volker, and 
all the earl-folk and mighty warriors of Burgundy and of 
Nibelungen Land. And lastly came Kriemhild and her 
hundred damsels, sitting on their snow-white steeds. 
And they rode past the blooming gardens, and through 
the glad streets of the burgh, and then, like a radiant 
vision, they entered the castle-halls ; and the lovely 
pageant was seen no more. 

For twelve days after this, a joyful high-tide was held 


How Brunhild was welcomed Home . 225 


at the castle ; and the broad halls rang with merriment 
and music and festive mirth. And games and tourna- 
ments were held in honor of the king’s return. Brave 
horsemen dashed here and there at break-neck speed, or 
contended manfully in the lists ; lances flew thick in 
the air ; shouts and glad cries were heard on every hand ; 
and for a time the most boisterous tumult reigned. But 
gladness and good-feeling ruled the hour, and no one 
thought of aught but merry-making and careless joy. 
At length, when the days of feasting were past, the 
guests bade Gunther and his queen farewell ; and each 
betook himself to his own home, and to whatsoever his 
duty called him. And one would have thought that 
none but happy days were henceforth in store for the 
kingly folk of Burgundy. But alas ! too soon the cruel 
frost and the cold north winds nipped the buds and 
blossoms of the short summer, and the days of gladness 
gave place to nights of gloom. 


226 


The Story of Siegfried. 


ADVENTURE XVII. ' 


HOW SIEGFRIED LIVED IN NIBE- 
LUNGEN LAND. 

When the twelve-days’ high-tide at King Gunther’s 
home-coming had been brought to an end, and the 
guests had all gone to their homes, Siegfried, too, 
prepared to bid farewell to the Rhineland kings, and 
to wend to his own country. But he was not to go 
alone ; for Kriemhild, the peerless princess, was to 
go with him as his bride. They had been wedded dur- 
ing the merry festivities which had just closed, and that 
event had added greatly to the general joy; for never 
was there a fairer or a nobler pair than Siegfried the 
fearless, and Kriemhild the peerless. 

“ It grieves my heart to part with you,” said Gunther, 
wringing Siegfried’s hand. “ It will fare but ill with us, 
I fear, when we no longer see your radiant face, or hear 
your cheery voice.” 

“Say not so, my brother,” answered Siegfried; “for 
the gods have many good things in store for you. And, 
if ever you need the help of my arm, you have but to 
say the word, and I will hasten to your aid.” 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelmigen Land. 227 


Then the Burgundian kings besought ‘the hero to 
take the fourth part of their kingdom as his own and 
Kriemhild’s, and to think no more of leaving them. 
But Siegfried would not agree to this. His heart 
yearned to see his father and mother once again, and 
then to return to his own loved Nibelungen Land. So 
he thanked the kings for their kind offer, and hastened 
to make ready for his intended journey. 

Early on Midsummer Day the hero and his bride rode 
out of Gunther’s dwelling, and turned their faces north- 
ward. And with them was a noble retinue of warriors, 
— five hundred brave Burgundians, with Eckewart as 
their chief, — who had sworn to be Queen Kriemhild’s 
vassals in her new, far-distant home. Thirty and two 
fair maidens, too, went with her. And with Siegfried 
were his Nibelungen earls. 

As the company rode down the sands, and filed 
gayly along the river-road, it seemed a lovely although 
a sad sight to their kinsmen who gazed after them 
from the castle-towers. Fair and young were all the 
folk ; and the world, to most, was still untried. And 
they rode, in the morning sunlight, away from their 
native land, nor recked that never again would they 
return. Each warrior sat upon a charger, richly geared 
with gilt-red saddle, and gorgeous bridle, and trappings 
of every hue ; and their war-coats were bright and daz- 
zling; and their spears glanced in the sun; and their 
golden shields threw rays of resplendent light around 
them. The maidens, too, were richly dight in broi- 


228 


The Story of Siegfried. 


dered cloaks of blue, and rare stuffs brought from far- 
off Araby ; and each sat on a snow-white palfrey geared 
with silken housings, and trappings of bright blue. 

For some days the company followed the course of 
the river, passing through many a rich meadow, and 
between lovely vineyards, and fields of yellow corn. 
Then they rode over a dreary, barren waste, and 
through a wild greenwood, and reached, at last, the 
hills which marked the beginning of King Siegmund’s 
domains. Then Siegfried sent fleet heralds before 
them to carry to his father the tidings of his coming 
with his bride, fair Kriemhild. Glad, indeed, were old 
King Siegmund and Siegfried’s gentle mother when 
they heard this news. 

“Oh, happy is the day!” cried the king. “Thrice 
happy be the day that shall see fair Kriemhild a 
crowned queen, and Siegfried a king in the throne of 
his fathers ! ” 

And they showered upon the heralds who had brought 
the happy news rich fees of gold and silver, and gave 
them garments of silken velvet. And on the morrow 
they set out, with a train of earl-folk and lovely ladies, 
to meet their son and his bride. For one whole day they 
journeyed to the old fortress of Santen, where in former 
days the king’s dwelling had been. ' There they met 
the happy bridal-party, and fond and loving were the 
hearty greetings they bestowed upon Kriemhild and the 
radiant Siegfried. Then, without delay, they returned 
to Siegmund’s kingly hall ; and for twelve days a high- 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land . 229 


tide, more happy and more splendid than that which 
had been held in Burgundy, was made in honor of Sieg- 
fried’s marriage-day. And, in the midst of those days 
of sport and joyance, the old king gave his crown and 
sceptre to his son ; and all the people hailed Siegfried, 
king of the broad Lowlands, and Kriemhild his lovely 
queen. 

Old stories tell how Siegfried reigned in peace and 
glad contentment in his fatherland ; and how the joyous 
sunshine shone wherever he went, and poured a flood 
of light and warmth and happiness into every nook and 
corner of his kingdom ; and how, at length, after the 
gentle Sigelind had died, he moved his court to that 
other country of his, — the far-off Nibelungen Land. 
And it is in that strange, dream-haunted land, in a 
strong-built mountain fortress, that we shall next find 
him. 

Glad were the Nibelungen folk when their own king 
and his lovely wife came to dwell among them ; and the 
mists once more were lifted, and the skies grew bright 
and clear, and men said that the night had departed, and 
the better days were near. Golden, indeed, and most 
glorious, was that summer-time ; and long to be remem- 
bered was Siegfried’s too brief reign in Nibelungen 
Land. And, ages afterward, folk loved to sing of his 
care for his people’s welfare, of his wisdom and bound- 
less lore, of his deeds in the time of warring, and the 
victories gained in peace. And strong and brave were 
the men-folk, and wise and fair were the women, and 


230 


The Story of Siegfried . 


broad and rich were the acres, in Siegfried’s well-ruled 
land. The farm-lands were yellow with the abundant 
harvests, fruitful orchards grew in the pleasant dales, 
and fair vineyards crowned the hills. Fine cities 
sprang up along the seacoast, and strong fortresses 
were built on every height. Great ships were made, 
which sailed to every land, and brought home rich goods 
from every clime, — coffee and spices from India, rich 
silks from Zazemang, fine fruits from the Iberian 
shore, and soft furs, and ivory tusks of the sea-beast, 
from the frozen coasts of the north. Never before was 
country so richly blessed ; for Siegfried taught his 
people how to till the soil best, and how to delve far 
down into the earth for hidden treasures, and how to 
work skilfully in iron and bronze and all other metals, 
and how to make the winds and the waters, and even 
the thunderbolt, their thralls and helpful servants. 
And he was as great in war as in peace ; for no other 
people dared harm, or in any way impose upon, the 
Nibelungen folk, or any of his faithful liegemen. 

It is told how, once on a time, he warred against the 
H undings, who had done his people an injury, and how 
he sailed against them in a long dragon-ship of a hun- 
dred oars. When he was far out in the mid-sea, and 
no land was anywhere in sight, a dreadful storm arose. 
The lightnings flashed, and the winds roared, and 
threatened to carry the ship to destruction. Quickly 
the fearful sailors began to reef the sails, but Siegfried 
bade them stop. 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land. 231 


“ Why be afraid ? ” he cried. “ The Norns have 
woven the woof of every man’s life, and no man can 
escape his destiny. If the gods will that we should 
drown, it is folly for us to strive against fate. We 
are bound to the shore of the Hundings’ land, and 
thither must our good ship carry us. Hoist the sails 
high on the masts, even though the wind should tear 
them into shreds, and split the masts into splinters ! ” 

The sailors did as they were bidden ; and the hur- 
ricane caught the ship in its mighty arms, and hurried 
it over the rolling waves with the speed of lightning. 
And Siegfried stood calmly at the helm, and guided the 
flying vessel. . Presently they saw a rocky point rising 
up out of the waters before them ; and on it stood an 
old man, his gray cloak streaming in the wind, and his 
blue hood tied tightly down over his head. 

“ Whose ship is that which comes riding on the 
storm ? ” cried the man. 

“King Siegfried’s ship,” answered the man at the 
prow. “There lives no braver man on earth than he.” 

“Thou sayest truly,” came back from the rock. 
“Lay by your oars, reef the sails, and take me on 
board ! ” 

“ What is your name ? ” asked the sailor, as the ship 
swept past him. 

“ When the raven croaks gladly over his battle-feast, 
men call me Hnikar. But call me now Karl from the 
mountain, Fengr, or Fjolner. Reef, quick, your sails, 
and take me in ! ” 


232 


The Story of Siegfried. 


The men, at Siegfried’s command, obeyed. And at 
once the wind ceased blowing, and the sea was calm, 
and the warm sun shone through the rifted clouds, and 
the coast of Hundings Land lay close before them. 
But when they looked for Fjolner, as he called himself, 
they could not find him. 

One day Siegfried sat in his sun-lit hall in Nibe- 
lungen Land ; and Kriemhild, lovely as a morning in 
June, sat beside him. And they talked of the early 
days when alone he fared through the mid-world, and 
alone did deeds of wondrous daring. And Siegfried 
bethought him then of the glittering Hoard of And- 
vari, and the cave and the mountain fortress, where the 
faithful dwarf Alberich still guarded the measureless 
treasure. 

“ How I should like to see that mountain fastness 
and that glittering hoard ! ” cried Kriemhild. 

“You shall see,” answered the king. 

And at once horses were saddled, and preparations 
were made for a morning’s jaunt into the mountains. 
And, ere an hour had passed, Siegfried and his queen, 
and a small number of knights and ladies, were riding 
through the passes. About noon they came to 
Alberich’s dwelling, — a frowning fortress of granite 
built in the mountain-side. The gate was opened by 
the sleepy giant who always sat within, and the party 
rode into the narrow court-yard. There they were met 
by Alberich, seeming smaller and grayer, and more 
pinched and wan, than ever before. 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelunge 7 i Land. 233 


“ Hail, noble master ! ” cried he, bowing low before 
Siegfried. “ How can Alberich serve you to-day ? ” 

“Lead us to the treasure-vaults,” answered the kiirg:|M|| 


“ My queen would fain feast her eyes upon the yellow, 
sparkling hoard.” 

The dwarf obeyed. Through a narrow door they 
were ushered into a long, low cavern, so frowning and 
gloomy, that the queen started back in affright. But, 
re-assured by Siegfried’s smiling face, she went forward 
again. The entrance-way was lighted by little torches 
held in the hands of tiny elves, who bowed in humble 
politeness to the kingly party. But, when once beyond 
the entrance-hall, no torches were needed to show the 
way ; for the huge pile of glittering gold and sparkling 
jewels, which lay heaped up to the cavern’s roof, 
lighted all the space around with a glory brighter than 
day. 


“ There is the dwarf’s treasure ! ” cried Siegfried. 
“ Behold the Hoard of Andvari, the gathered wealth of 
the ages ! Henceforth, fair Kriemhild, it is yours — all 
yours, save this serpent-ring.” 

“And why not that too?” asked the queen; for she 
admired its glittering golden scales, and its staring 
ruby eyes. 


“Alas ! ” answered he, “a curse rests upon it, — the 
curse which Andvari the ancient laid upon it when 
Loki tore it from his hand. A miser’s heart — selfish, 
cold, snaky — is bred in its owner’s being; and he 
thenceforth lives a very serpent’s life. Or, should he 


234 


The Story of Siegfried . 


resist its influence, then death through the guile of 
pretended friends is sure to be his fate.” 

“ Then why,” asked the queen, — “ why do you keep 
ft yourself ? Why do you risk its bane ? Why not 
give it to your sworn foe, or cast it into the sea, or 
melt it in the fire, and thus escape the curse ? ” 

Siegfried answered by telling how, when in the hey- 
day of his youth, he had slain Fafnir, the keeper of this 
hoard, upon the Glittering Heath ; and how, while still 
in the narrow trench which he had dug, the blood of 
the horrid beast had flown in upon him, and covered 
him up. 

“And this I have been told by Odin’s birds,” he 
went on to say, “ that every part of my body that was 
touched by the slimy flood was made forever proof 
against sword and spear, and sharp weapons of every 
kind. Hence I have no cause to fear the stroke, either 
of open foes or of traitorous false friends.” 

“ But was all of your body covered with the dragon’s 
blood ? Was there no small spot untouched ? ” asked 
the queen, more anxious now than she had ever seemed 
to be before she had known aught of her husband’s 
strange security from wounds. 

“ Only one very little spot between the shoulders 
was left untouched,” answered Siegfried. “ I after- 
wards found a lime-leaf sticking there, and I know 
that the slimy blood touched not that spot. But then 
who fears a thrust in the back ? None save cowards 
are wounded there.” 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land. 235 


“Ah!” said the queen, toying tremulously with the 
fatal ring, “ that little lime-leaf may yet bring us unut- 
terable woe.” 

But Siegfried laughed at her fears ; and he took the 
serpent-ring, and slipped it upon his forefinger, and 
said that he would wear it there, bane or no bane, so 
long as Odin would let him live. 

Then, after another long look at the heaps of glitter- 
ing gold and priceless gem-stones, the company turned, 
and followed Alberich back, through the gloomy en- 
trance-way and the narrow door, to the open air again. 
And mounting their steeds, which stood ready, they 
started homewards. But, at the outer gate, Siegfried 
paused, and said to the dwarf at parting, — 

“ Hearken, Alberich ! The Hoard of Andvari is no 
longer mine. I have made a present of it to my queen. 
Hold it and guard it, therefore, as hers and hers alone ; 
and, whatever her bidding may be regarding it, that 
do.” 

“Your word is law, and shall be obeyed,” said the 
dwarf, bowing low. 

Then the drowsy gate-keeper swung the heavy gate 
to its place, and the kingly party rode gayly away. 

On their way home the company went, by another 
route, through the narrow mountain pass which led to- 
wards the sea, and thence through a rocky gorge 
between two smoking mountains. And on one side of 
this road a great cavern yawned, so dark and deep that 
no man had ever dared to step inside of it. And as 


236 The Story of Siegfried. 

* they paused before it, and listened, they heard, away 
down in its dismal depths, horrid groans, sad moanings, 
and faint wild shrieks, so far away that it seemed as if 
they had come from the very centre of the earth. And, 
while they still listened, the ground around them trem- 
bled and shook, and the smoking mountain on the other 
side of the gorge smoked blacker than before. 

“ Loki is uneasy to-day,” said Siegfried, as they all 
put spurs to their horses, and galloped swiftly home. 

It was the Cavern of the Mischief-maker which the 
party had visited ; and that evening, as they again sat 
in Siegfried’s pleasant hall, they amused themselves by 
telling many strange old tales of the mid-world’s child- 
hood, when the gods, and the giants, and the dwarf- 
folk, had their dwelling on the earth. But they talked 
most of Loki, the flame, the restless, the evil-doer. 
And this, my children, is the story that was told of the 
Doom of the Mischief-maker . 1 

THE STORY. 

You have heard of the feast that old Aigir once 
made for the Asa-folk in his gold-lit dwelling in the 
deep sea ; and how the feast was hindered, through the 
loss of his great brewing-kettle, until Thor had obtained 
a still larger vessel from Hymer the giant. It is very 
likely that the thief who stole King ^Egir’s kettle was 
none other than Loki the Mischief-maker ; but, if this 
was so, he was not long unpunished for his meanness. 

There was great joy in the Ocean-king’s hall, when 

1 See Note 30 at the end of this volume. 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land. 237 


at last the banquet was ready, and the foaming ale 
began to pass itself around to the guests. But Thor, 
who had done so much to help matters along, could not 
stay to the merry-making : for he had heard that the 
Storm-giants were marshalling their forces for a raid 
upon some unguarded corner of the mid-world ; and so, 
grasping his hammer M joiner, he bade his kind host 
good-by, and leaped into his iron car. 

“ Business always before pleasure ! ” he cried, as he 
gave the word to his swift, strong goats, and rattled away 
at a wonderful rate through the air. 

In old Aigir’s hall glad music resounded on every 
side ; and the gleeful Waves danced merrily as the 
Asa-folk sat around the festal-board, and partook of 
the Ocean-king’s good fare. Aigir’s two thralls, the 
faithful Funfeng and the trusty Elder, waited upon 
the guests, and carefully supplied their wants. Never 
in all the world had two more thoughtful servants been 
seen ; and every one spoke in praise of their quickness, 
and their skill, and their ready obedience. 

Then Loki, unable to keep his hands from mischief, 
waxed very angry, because every one seemed happy and 
free from trouble, and no one noticed or cared for him. 
So, while good Funfeng was serving him to meat, he 
struck the faithful thrall with a carving-knife, and killed 
him.' Then arose a great uproar in the Ocean-king’s 
feast-hall. The Asa-folk rose up from the table, and 
drove the Mischief-maker out from among them ; and in 
their wrath they chased him across the waters, and 


238 


The Story of Siegfried. 


forced him to hide in the thick greenwood. After thn 
they went back to Aigir’s hall, and sat down again to 
the feast. But they had scarcely begun to eat, when 
Loki came quietly out of his hiding-place, and stole 
slyly around to Aigir’s kitchen, where he found Elder, 
the other thrall, grieving sadly because of his brother’s 
death. 

“ I hear a great chattering and clattering over there 
in the feast-hall,” said Loki. “The greedy, silly Asa- 
folk seem to be very busy indeed, both with their teeth 
and their tongues. Tell me, now, good Elder, what they 
talk about while they sit over their meat and ale.” 

“They talk of noble deeds,” answered Elder. “They 
speak of gallant heroes, and brave men, and fair women, 
and strong hearts, and willing hands, and gentle man- 
ners, and kind friends. And for all these they have 
words of praise, and songs of beauty ; but none of them 
speak well of Loki, the thief and the vile traitor.” 

“Ah!” said Loki wrathfully, twisting himself into 
a dozen different shapes, “ no one could ask so great a 
kindness from such folk. I must go into the feast-hall, 
and take a look at this fine company, and listen to their 
noisy merry-making. I have a fine scolding laid up for 
those good fellows ; and, unless they are careful with 
their tongues, they will find many hard words mixed 
with their ale.” 

Then he went boldly into the great hall, and stood up 
before the wonder-stricken guests at the table. When 
the Asa-folk saw who it was that had darkened the 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen La 7 id. 239 

doorway, and was now in their midst, a painful silence 
fell upon them, and all their merriment was at an end. 
And Loki stretched himself up to his full height, and 
said to them, — 

“ Hungry and thirsty come I to Aigir’s gold-lit hall. 
Long and rough was the road I trod, and wearisome 
was the way. Will no one bid me welcome ? Will 
none give me a seat at the feast ? Will none offer me 
a drink of the precious mead ?* Why are you all so 
dumb ? Why so sulky and stiff-necked, when your best 
friend stands before you ? Give me a seat among you, 
— yes, one of the high-seats, — or else drive me from 
your hall ! In either case, the world will never forget 
me. I am Loki.” 

Then one among the Asa-folk spoke up, and said, 
“ Let him sit with us. He is mad ; and when he slew 
Funfeng, he was not in his right mind. He is not 
answerable for his rash act.” 

But Bragi the Wise, who sat on the innermost seat, 
arose, and said, “Nay, we will not give him a seat 
among us. Nevermore shall he feast or sup with us, 
or share our good-fellowship. Thieves and murderers 
we know, and will shun.” 

This speech enraged Loki all the more ; and he spared 
not vile words, but heaped abuse without stint upon all 
the folk before him. And by main force he seized hold 
of the silent Vidar, who had come from the forest soli- 
tudes to be present at the feast, and dragged him away 
from the table, and seated himself in his place. Then, 


240 


The Story of Siegfried . 


as he quaffed the foaming ale, he flung out taunts and 
jeers and hard words to all who sat around, but chiefly 
to Bragi the Wise. Then he turned to Sif, the beautiful 
wife of Thor, and began to twit her about her golden hair. 

“ Oh, how handsome you were, when you looked at 
your bald head in the mirror that day ! Oh, what music 
you made when your hands touched your smooth pate ! 
And now whose hair do you wear ? ” 

And the wretch laughed wickedly, as he saw the tears 
welling up in poor Sif s eyes. 

Then suddenly a great tumult was heard outside. 
The mountains shook and trembled ; and the bottom of 
the sea seemed moved ; and the waves, affrighted and 
angry, rushed hither and thither in confusion. All the 
guests looked up in eager expectation, and some of 
them fled in alarm from the hall. Then the mighty 
Thor strode through the door, and up to the table, 
swinging his hammer, and casting wrathful glances at 
the Mischief-maker. Loki trembled, and dropped his 
goblet, and sank down upon his knees before the terrible 
Asa. 

“ I yield me ! ” he cried. “ Spare my life, I pray you, 
and I will be your thrall forever ! ” 

“I want no such thrall,” answered Thor. “And I 
spare your life on one condition only, — that you go at 
once from hence, and nevermore presume to come into 
the company of Asa-folk.” 

“I promise all that you ask,” said Loki, trembling 
more than ever. “ Let me go.” 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land. 241 


Thor stepped aside; and the frightened culprit fled 
from the hall, and was soon out of sight. The feast 
was broken up. The folk bade JEg ir a kind farewell, 
and all embarked on Frey’s good ship Skidbladner; and 
fair winds wafted them swiftly home to Asgard. 

Loki fled to the dark mountain gorges of Mist Land, 
and sought for a while to hide himself from the sight of 
both gods and men. In a deep ravine by the side of a 
roaring torrent, he built himself a house of iron and 
stone, and placed a door on each of its four sides, so 
that he could see whatever passed around him. There, 
for many winters, he lived in lonely solitude, planning 
with himself how he might baffle the gods, and regain 
his old place in Asgard. And now and then he slipped 
slyly away from his hiding-place, and wrought much 
mischief for a time among the abodes of men. But 
when Thor heard of his evil-doings, and sought to 
catch him, and punish him for his evil deeds, he was 
nowhere to be found. And at last the Asa-folk deter- 
mined, that, if he could ever be captured, the safety of 
the world required that he should be bound hand and 
foot, and kept forever in prison. 

Loki often amused himself in his mountain home by 
taking upon him his favorite form of a salmon, and 
lying listlessly beneath the waters of the great Fanan- 
'* der Cataract, which fell from the shelving rocks a 
thousand feet above him. One day while thus lying, 
he bethought himself of former days, when he walked 
the glad young earth in company with the All-Father. 


242 


The Story of Siegfried. 


And among other things he remembered how he had 
once borrowed the magic net of Ran, the Ocean-queen, 
and had caught with it the dwarf Andvari, disguised, 
as he himself now was, in the form of a slippery salmon. 

“ I will make me such a net ! ” he cried. “ I will 
make it strong and good ; and I, too, will fish for men.” 

So he took again his proper shape, and went back to 
his cheerless home in the ravine. And he gathered 
flax and wool and long hemp, and spun yarn and strong 
cords, and wove them into meshes, after the pattern of 
Queen Ran’s magic net ; for men had not, at that 
time, learned how to make or use nets for fishing. And 
the first fisherman who caught fish in that way is said 
to have taken Loki’s net as a model. 

Odin sat, on the morrow, in his high hall of Hlid- 
skialf, and looked out over all the world, and saw, even 
to the uttermost corners, what men-folk were every- 
where doing. When his eye rested upon the dark line 
which marked the mountain-land of the Mist Country, 
he started up in quick surprise, and cried out, — 

“ Who is that who sits by the Fanander Force, and 
ties strong cords together ? ” 

But none of those who 'stood around could tell, for 
their eyes were not strong enough and clear enough to 
see so far. 

“ Bring Heimdal ! ” then cried Odin. 

Now, Heimdal the White dwells among the blue 
mountains of sunny Himminbjorg, where the rainbow, 
the shimmering Asa-bridge, spans the space betwixt 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land. 243 


heaven and earth. He is the son of Odin, golden- 
toothed, pure-faced, and clean-hearted ; and he ever 
keeps watch and ward over the mid-world and the 
homes of frail men-folk, lest the giants shall break in, 
and destroy and slay. He rides upon a shining steed 
named Goldtop ; and he holds in his hand a horn called 
Gjallar-horn, with which, in the last great twilight, he 
shall summon the world to battle with the Fenris-wolf 
and the sons of Loki. This watchful guardian of the 
mid-world is as wakeful as the birds. And his hearing 
is so keen, that no sound on earth escapes him, — not 
even that of the rippling waves upon the seashore, nor 
of the quiet sprouting of the grass in the meadows, 
nor even of the growth of the soft wool on the backs 
of sheep. And his eyesight, too, is wondrous clear 
and sharp ; for he can see by night as well as by day, 
and the smallest thing, although a hundred leagues 
away, cannot be hidden from him. 

To Heimdal, then, the heralds hastened, bearing the 
words which Odin had spoken. And the watchful 
warder of the mid-world came at once to the call of 
the All-Father. 

“ Turn your eyes to the sombre mountains that guard 
the shadowy Mist-land from the sea,” said Odin. 
“ Now look far down into the rocky gorge in which the 
Fanander Cataract pours, and tell me what you see.” 

Heimdal did as he was bidden. 

“ I see a shape,” said he, “ sitting by the torrent’s 
side. It is Lola’s shape, and he seems strangely busy 
with strong strings and cords.” 


244 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Call all our folk together ! ” commanded Odin. 
“The wily Mischief-maker plots our hurt. He must 
be driven from his hiding-place, and put where he 
can do no further harm.” 

Great stir was there then in Asgard. Every one 
hastened to answer Odin’s call, and to join in the quest 
for the Mischief-maker. Thor came on foot, with his 
hammer tightly grasped in his hands, and lightning 
flashing from beneath his red brows. Tyr, the one- 
handed, came with his sword. Then followed Bragi 
the Wise, with his harp and his sage counsels ; then 
Hermod the Nimble, with his quick wit and ready 
hands ; and, lastly, a great company of elves and wood- 
sprites and trolls. Then a whirlwind caught them up 
in its swirling arms, and carried them through the air, 
over the hill-tops and the country-side, and the mead- 
ows and the mountains, and set them down in the 
gorge of the Fanander Force. 

But Loki was not caught napping. His wakeful ears 
had heard the tumult in the air, and he guessed who it 
was that was coming. He threw the net, which he had 
just finished, into the fire, and jumped quickly into the 
swift torrent, where, changing himself into a salmon, 
he lay hidden beneath the foaming waters. 

When the eager Asa-folk reached Loki’s dwelling, 
they found that he whom they sought had fled ; and 
although they searched high and low, among the rocks 
and the caves and the snowy crags, they could see no 
signs of the cunning fugitive. Then they went back 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land . 245 


to his house again to consult what next to do. And, 
while standing by the hearth, Kwaser, a sharp-sighted 
elf, whose eyes were quicker than the sunbeam, saw 
the white ashes of the burned net lying undisturbed 
in the still hot embers, the woven meshes unbroken 
and whole. 

“See what the cunning fellow has been making!” 
cried the elf. “It must have been a trap for catching 
fish.” 

“Or rather for catching men,” said Bragi; “for it 
is strangely like the Sea-queen’s net.” 

“In that case,” said Hermod the Nimble, “he has 
made a trap for himself ; for, no doubt, he has 
changed himself, as is his wont, to a slippery salmon, 
and lies at this moment hidden beneath the Fanander 
torrent. Here are plenty of cords of flax and hemp 
and wool, with which he intended to make other nets. 
Let us take them, and weave one like the pattern 
which lies there in the embers ; and then, if I mistake 
not, we shall catch the too cunning fellow.” 

All saw the wisdom of these words, and all set 
quickly to work: In a short time they had made a net 
strong and large, and full of fine meshes, like the model 
among the coals. Then they threw it into the roaring 
stream, Thor holding to one end, and all the other folk 
pulling at the other. With great toil, they dragged it 
forwards, against the current, even to the foot of the 
waterfall. But the cunning Loki crept close down 
between two sharp stones, and lay there quietly while 
the net passed harmlessly over him. 


246 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Let us try again ! ” cried Thor. “ I am sure that 
something besides dead rocks lies at the bottom of the 
stream.” 

So they hung heavy weights to the net, and began 
to drag it a second time, this time going down stream. 
Loki looked out from his hiding-place, and saw that he 
would not be able to esdape again by lying between the 
rocks, and that his only chance for safety was either to 
leap over the net, and hide himself behind the rushing 
cataract itself, or to swim with the current out to the 
sea. But the way to the sea was long, and there were 
many shallow places ; and Loki had doubts as to how 
old Aigir would receive him in his kingdom. He 
feared greatly to undertake so dangerous and uncertain 
a course. So, turning upon his foes, and calling up all 
his strength, he made a tremendous leap high into the 
air, and clean over the net. But Thor was too quick 
for him. As he fell towards the water, the Thunderer 
quickly threw out his hand, and caught the slippery 
salmon, holding him firmly by the tail. 

When Loki found that he was surely caught, and 
could not by any means escape, he took again his 
proper shape. Fiercely did he struggle with mighty 
Thor, and bitter were the curses which he poured down 
upon his enemies. But he could not get free. Into 
the deep, dark cavern, beneath the smoking mountain, 
where daylight never comes, nor the warmth of the 
sun, nor the sound of Nature’s music, the fallen Mis- 
chief-maker was carried. And they bound him firmly 


How Siegfried lived in Nibelungen Land. 247 


to the sharp rocks, with his face turned upwards 
toward the dripping roof; for they said that never- 
more, until the last dread twilight, should he be free to 
vex the world with his wickedness. And Skade, the 
giant wife of Niord and the daughter of grim Old Win- 
ter, took a hideous poison snake, and hung it up above 
Loki, so that its venom would drop into his upturned 
face. But Sigyn, the loving wife of the suffering 
wretch, left her home in the pleasant halls of Asgard, 
and came to his horrible prison-house to soothe and 
comfort him ; and evermore she holds a basin above his 
head, and catches in it the poisonous drops as they fall. 
When the basin is fille.d, and she turns to empty it 
in the tar-black river that flows through that home of 
horrors, the terrible venom falls upon his unprotected 
face, and Loki writhes and shrieks in fearful agony, 
until the earth around him shakes and trembles, and 
the mountains spit forth fire, and fumes of sulphur- 
smoke. 

And there the Mischief-maker, the spirit of evil, 
shall lie in torment until the last great day and the 
dread twilight of all mid-world things. How strange 
and how sad, that, while Loki lies thus bound and 
harmless, evil still walks the earth, and that so much 
mischief and such dire disasters were prepared for 
Siegfried and the folk of Nibelungen Land ! 


248 


The Story of Siegfried. 


ADVENTURE XVIII. 


HOW THE MISCHIEF BEGAN TO 
BREW. 

One day a party of strangers came to Siegfried’s 
Nibelungen dwelling, and asked to speak with the 
king. 

“ Who are you ? and what is your errand ? ” asked the 
porter at the gate. 

“ Our errand is to the king, and he will know who 
we are when he sees us,” was the answer. 

When Siegfried was told of the strange men who 
waited below, and of the strange way in which they 
had answered the porter’s question, he asked, — 

“From what country seem they to have come? For 
surely their dress and manners will betray something 
of that matter to you. Are they South-land folk, or 
East-land folk ? Are they from the mountains, or from 
the sea ? ” 

“They belong to none of the neighbor-lands,” an- 
swered the earl who had brought the word to the king. 
“No such men live upon our borders. They seem to 
have come from a far-off land ; for they are travel- 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 249 


worn, and their sea-stained clothing betokens a people 
from the south. They are tall and dark, and their hair 
is black, and they look much like those Rhineland war- 
riors who came hither with our lady the queen. And 
they carry a blood-red banner with a golden dragon 
painted upon it.” 

“ Oh, they must be from Burgundy ! ” cried the 
queen, who had overheard these words. And she 
went at once to the window to see the strangers, who 
were waiting in the courtyard below. 

There, indeed, she saw thirty tall Burgundians, clad 
in the gay costume of Rhineland, now faded and worn 
with long travel. But all save one were young, and 
strangers to Kriemhild. That one was their leader, — 
an old man with a kind face, and a right noble bearing. 

“ See ! ” said the queen to Siegfried : “ there is our 
brave captain Gere, who, ever since my childhood, has 
been the trustiest man in my brother Gunther’s house- 
hold. Those men. are from the fatherland, and they 
bring tidings from the dear old Burgundian home.” 

“ Welcome are they to our Nibelungen Land ! ” cried 
the delighted king. 

And he ordered that the strangers should be brought 
into the castle, and that the most sumptuous rooms 
should be allotted to them, and a plenteous meal pre- 
pared, and every thing done to entertain them in a 
style befitting messengers from Kriemhild’s father- 
land. Then Gere, the trusty captain, was led into, the 
presence of the king and queen. Right gladly did 


250 


The Story of Siegfried. 


they welcome him, and many were the questions they 
asked about their kin-folk, and the old Rhineland home. 

“Tell us, good Gere,” said Siegfried, “what is thy 
message from our friends-; for we are anxious to know 
whether they are well and happy, or whether some, ill 
luck has overtaken them. If any harm threatens them, 
they have but to speak, and I, with my sword and my 
treasures, will hasten to their help.” 

“They are all well,” answered the captain. “No ill 
has befallen them, and no harm threatens them. Peace 
rules hi the land ; and fair weather and sunshine have 
filled the people’s barns, and made their hearts glad. 
And thus it has been ever since Gunther brought to 
his dwelling the warrior-maiden Brunhild to be his 
queen. And this is my errand and the message that I 
bring : King Gunther, blessed with happiness, intends 
to hold a grand high-tide of joy and thanksgiving at 
the time of the harvest-moon. And nothing is want- 
ing to complete the gladness of that time, but the sight 
of you and the peerless Kriemhild in your old places at 
the feast. And it is to invite you to this festival of 
rejoicing that I have come, at the king’s command, to 
Nibelungen Land.” 

Siegfried sat a moment in silence, and then thought- 
fully answered, — 

“It is a long, long journey from this land to Bur- 
gundy, and many dangers beset the road ; and my own 
people would sadly miss me while away, and I know 
not what mishaps might befall.” 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 251 


Then Gere spoke of the queen-mofher Ute, now 
grown old and feeble, who wished once more, ere 
death called her hence, to see her daughter Kriemhild. 
And he told how all the people, both high and low, 
yearned for another sight of the radiant hero who in 
former days had blessed their land with his presence 
and his noble deeds. And his persuasive words had 
much weight with Siegfried, who said at length, — 

“ Tarry a few days yet for my answer. I will talk 
with my friends and the Nibelungen earls ; and what 
they think best, that will I do.” 

For nine days, then, waited Gere at Siegfried’s hall ; 
but still the king put off his answer. 

“Wait until to-morrow,” he said each day, for his 
heart whispered dim forebodings. 

At length, as midsummer was fast drawing near, the 
impatient captain could stay no longer; and he bade 
his followers make ready to go back forthwith to 
Burgundy. When the queen saw that they were ready 
to take their leave, and that Gere could wait no longer 
upon the king’s pleasure, she urged her husband to say 
to Gunther that they would come to his harvest 
festival. And the lords and noble earl-folk added their 
persuasions to hers. 

“Send word back to the Burgundian king,” said 
they, “that you will go, as he desires. We will see 
to it that no harm comes to your kingdom while you 
are away.” 

So Siegfried called Gere and his comrades into the 


252 


The Story of Siegfried. 


hall, and loaded them with costly gifts such as they 
had never before seen, and bade them say to their 
master that he gladly accepted the kind invitation he 
had sent, and that, ere the harvest high-tide began, 
he and Kriemhild would be with him in Burgundy. 

And the messengers went back with all speed, and 
told what wondrous things they had seen in Nibelungen 
Land, and in what great splendor Siegfried lived. And, 
when they showed the rare presents which had been 
given them, all joined in praising the goodness and great- 
ness of the hero-king. But old chief Hagen frowned 
darkly as he said, — 

“ It is little wonder that he can do such things, for 
the Shining Hoard of Andvari is his. If we had such 
a treasure, we, too, might live in more than kingly 
grandeur.” 

Early in the month of roses, Siegfried and his peer- 
less queen, with a retinue of more than a thousand 
warriors and many fair ladies, started on their long 
and toilsome journey to the South-land. And the 
folk who went with them to the city gates bade them 
many tearful farewells, and returned to their homes, 
feeling that the sunshine had gone forever from the 
Nibelungen Land. But the sky was blue and cloud- 
less, and the breezes warm and mild, and glad was the 
song of the reapers as adown the seaward highway the 
kingly company rode. Two days they rode through 
Mist Land, to the shore of the peaceful sea. Ten days 
they sailed on the waters. And the winds were soft and 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 253 


gentle ; and the waves slept in the sunlight, or merrily 
danced in their wake. But each day, far behind them, 
there followed a storm-cloud, dark as night, and the 
pleasant shores of Mist Land were hidden forever 
behind it. Five days they rode through the Lowlands, 
and. glad were the Lowland folk with sight of their 
hero-king. Two days through the silent greenwood, 
and one o’er the barren moor, and three amid vine- 
yards and fields, and between orchards fruitful and 
fair, they rode. And on the four and twentieth day 
they came in sight of the quiet town, and the tall gray 
towers, where dwelt the Burgundian kings. And a 
great company on horseback, with flashing shields and 
fine-wrought garments and nodding plumes, came out 
to meet them. It was King Gernot and a thousand of 
the best men and fairest women in Burgundy ; and 
they welcomed Siegfried and Kriemhild and their 
Nibelungen-folk to the fair land of the Rhine. And 
then they turned, and rode back with them to the 
castle. And, as the company passed through the 
pleasant streets of the town, the people stood by 
the wayside, anxious to catch sight of the radiant 
Siegfried on his sunbright steed, and of the peerless 
Kriemhild, riding on a palfrey by his side. And young 
girls strewed roses in their pathway, and hung garlands 
upon their horses ; and every one shouted, “ Hail to the 
conquering hero ! Hail to the matchless queen ! ” 
When, they reached the castle, King Gunther and 
Giselher met them, and ushered them into the old 


254 


The Story of Siegfried. 


familiar halls, where a right hearty welcome greeted 
them from all the kingly household. And none 
seemed more glad in this happy hour than Brunhild 
the warrior-queen, now more gloriously beautiful than 
even in the days of yore. 

When the harvest-moon began to shine full and 
bright, lighting up the whole world from evening till 
morn with' its soft radiance, the gay festival so long 
looked forward to began. And care and anxiety, and 
the fatigues of the long journey, were forgotten amid 
the endless round of pleasure which for twelve days 
enlivened the whole of Burgundy. And the chiefest 
honors were everywhere paid to Siegfried the hero- 
king, and to Kriemhild the peerless queen of beauty. 

Then Queen Brunhild called to mind, how, on a 
time, it had been told her in Isenland that Siegfried 
was but the liegeman and vassal of King Gunther; 
and she wondered why such honor should be paid to 
an underling, and why the king himself should treat 
him with so much respect. And as she thought of 
this, and of the high praises with which every one 
spoke of Kriemhild, her mind became filled with jeal- 
ous broodings. And soon her bitter jealousy was 
turned to deadly hate ; for she remembered then, how, 
in the days long past, a noble youth, more beautiful and 
more glorious than the world would ever see again, had 
awakened her from the deep sleep that Odin’s thorn 
had given ; and she remembered how Gunther had won 
her by deeds of strength and skill which he never 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 255 


afterwards could even imitate ; and she thought how 
grand indeed was Kriemhild’s husband compared with 
her own weak and wavering and commonplace lord. 
And her soul was filled with sorrow and bitterness and 
deepest misery, when, putting these thoughts together, 
she believed that she. had in some way been duped and 
cheated into becoming Gunther’s wife. 

When at last the gay feast was ended, and most of 
the guests had gone to their homes, she sought her 
husband, and thus broached the matter to him. 

“ Often have I asked you,” said she, “why your sister 
Kriemhild was given in marriage to a vassal, and as 
often have you put me off with vague excuses. Often, 
too, have I wondered why your vassal, Siegfried, has 
never p^id you tribute for the lands which he holds 
from you, and why he has never come to render you 
homage. Now he is here in your castle ; but he sets 
himself up, not as your vassal, but as your peer. I 
pray you, tell me what such strange things mean. Was 
an underling and a vassal ever known before to put 
himself upon a level with his liege lord ? ” 

Gunther was greatly troubled, and he knew not what 
to say; for he feared- to tell the queen how they had 
deceived her when he had, won the games at Isenstein, 
and how the truth had ever since been kept hidden from 
her. , 

“ Ask me not to explain this matter further than I 
have already done,” he answered. “ It is enough that 
Siegfried is the greatest of all my vassals, and that his 


256 


The Story of Siegfried . 


lands are broader even than my own. He has helped 
me out of many straits, and has added much to the 
greatness and strength of my kingdom : for this reason 
he has never been asked to pay us tribute, and for this 
reason we grant him highest honors.” 

But this answer failed to satisfy the queen. 

“Is it not the first duty of a-vassal,” she asked, “to 
help his liege lord in every undertaking ? If *So, Sieg- 
fried has but done his duty, and you owe him nothing. 
But you have not told me all. You have deceived me, 
and you would fain deceive me again. You have a 
secret, and I will find it out.” 

The king made no answer, but walked silently and 
thoughtfully away. 

It happened one evening, not long thereafter, that 
the two queens sat together at an upper window, and 
looked down upon a company of men in the courtyard 
below. Among them were the noblest earl-folk of 
Burgundy, and Gunther the king, and Siegfried. But 
Siegfried towered above all the rest ; and he moved 
like a god among men. 

“ See my noble Siegfried ! ” cried Kriemhild in her 
pride. “ How grandly he stands there ! What a type 
of manly beauty and strength ! No one cares to look 
at other men when he is near.” 

“ He may be handsome,” answered Brunhild sadly ; 
“ and, for aught I know, he may be noble. But what 
is all that by the side of kingly power ? Were he but 
the peer of your brother Gunther, then you might well 
boast.” 






THE QUARREL OF THE QUEEN Si 













How the Mischief began to Brew. 257 


“ He is the peer of Gunther,” returned Kriemhild. 
“ And not only his peer, but more ; for he stands as 
high above him in kingly power and worth as in bodily 
stature.” 

“ How can that be ? ” asked Brunhild, growing angry. 
“For, when Gunther so gallantly won me at Isenstein, 
he told me that Siegfried was his vassal ; and often 
since that time I have heard the same. And even your 
husband told me that Gunther was his liege lord.” 

Queen Kriemhild laughed at these words, and an- 
swered, “ I tell you again that Siegfried is a king far 
nobler and richer and higher than any other king on 
earth. Think you that my brothers would have given 
me to a mere vassal to be his wife ? ” 

Then Brunhild, full of wrath, replied, “Your hus- 
band is Gunther’s vassal and my own, and he shall do 
homage to us as the humblest and meanest of our 
underlings. He shall not go from this place until he 
has paid all the tribute that has so long been due from 
him. Then we shall see who is the vassal, and who is 
the lord.” 

“ Nay,” answered Kriemhild. “ It shall not be. No 
tribute was ever due ; and, if homage is to be paid, it is 
rather Gunther who must pay it.” 

“ It shall be settled once for all ! ” cried Brunhild, 
now boiling over with rage. “ I will know the truth. 
If Siegfried is not our vassal, then I have been duped ; 
and I will have revenge.” 

“ It is well,” was the mild answer. “ Let it be settled, 


258 


The Story of Siegfried. 


once for all ; and then, mayhap, we shall know who it 
was who really won the games at Isenstein, and you for 
Gunther’s wife.” 

And the two queens parted in wrath . 1 

Kriemhild’s anger was as fleeting as an April cloud, 
which does but threaten, and then passes away in tears 
and sunshine. But Brunhild’s was like the dread winter 
storm that sweeps down from Niflheim, and brings ruin 
and death in its wake. She felt that she had been 
cruelly wronged in some way, and that her life had 
been wrecked, and she rested not until she had learned 
the truth. 

It was Hagen who at last told her the story of the 
cruel deceit that had made her Gunther’s wife ; and 
then her wrath and her shame knew no bounds. 

“ Woe betide the day ! ” she cried, — “ woe betide the 
day that brought me to Rhineland, and made me the 
wife of a weakling and coward, and the jest of him who 
might have done nobler things ! ” 

Hagen smiled. He had long waited for this day. 

“ It was Siegfried, and Siegfried alone, who plotted 
to deceive you,” he said. “ Had it not been for him, 
you might still have been the happy maiden-queen of 
Isenland. And now he laughs at you, and urges his 
queen, Kriemhild, to scorn you as she would an under- 
ling.” 

“ I know it, I know it,” returned the queen in dis- 
tress. “ And yet how grandly noble is the man ! How 
he rushed through the flames to awaken me, when no 

1 See Note 31 at the end of this volume. 


How the Mischief began to Brew . 259 


one else could save ! How brave, how handsome, — 
and yet he has been my bane. I can have no peace 
while he lives.” 

Hagen smiled again, and a strange light gleamed 
from his dark eye. Then he said, “Truly handsome 
and brave is he, but a viler traitor was never born. 
He even now plots to seize this kingdom, and to add it 
to his domain. Why else should he bring so great a 
retinue of Nibelungen warriors to Burgundy ? I will 
see King Gunther at once, and we will put an end to 
his wicked projects.” 

“Do even so, good Hagen,” said Brunhild. “Take 
him from my path, and bring low the haughty pride of 
his wife, and I shall be content.” 

“That I will do!” cried Hagen. “That I will do! 
Gunther is and shall be the king without a peer; and 
no one shall dare dispute the worth and the queenly 
beauty of his wife.” 

Then the wily chief sought Gunther, and with cun- 
ning words poisoned his weak mind. The feeble old 
king was easily made to believe that Siegfried was 
plotting against his life, and seeking to wrest the king- 
dom from him. And he forgot the many kind favors 
he had received at the hero’s hand. He no longer 
remembered how Siegfried had slain the terror of - the 
Glittering Heath, and freed the Burgundians from many 
a fear; and how he had routed the warlike hosts of 
the North-land, and made prisoners of their kings ; and 
how he had brought his voyage to Isenland to a happy 


260 


The Story of Siegfried. 


and successful ending. He forgot, also, that Siegfried 
was his sister’s husband. He had ears and mind only 
for Hagen’s wily words. 

“ While this man lives,” said the dark-browed chief, 
“ none of us are safe. See how the people follow him ! 
Hear how they shout at his coming ! They look upon 
him as a god, and upon Gunther as a nobody. If we 
are wise, we shall rid ourselves of so dangerous a 
man.” 

“It is but a week until he takes his leave of us, 
and goes back to his own home in Nibelungen Land. 
Watch him carefully until that time, but do him no 
harm. When he is once gone, he shall never come 
back again,” said the king. But he spoke thus, not 
because of any kind feelings towards Siegfried, but 
rather because he feared the Nibelungen hero. 

“ He has no thought of going at that time,” answered 
Hagen. “ He speaks of it, only to hide his wicked and 
traitorous plots. Instead of going home, his plans will 
then be ready for action, and it will be too late for us to 
save ourselves. Still, if you will not believe me, take 
your own course. You have been warned.” 

The cunning chief arose to leave the room ; but 
Gunther, now thoroughly frightened, stopped him. 

“ Hagen,” he said, “you have always been my friend, 
and the words which you say are wise. Save us and 
our kingdom now, in whatsoever way you may deem 
best. I know not what to do.” 

Then the weak king and the warrior-chief talked 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 261 


long together in low, hoarse whispers. And, when they 
parted, shame and guilt were stamped in plain lines on 
Gunther’s face, from which they were nevermore 
erased ; and he dared not lift his gaze from the floor, 
fearing that his eyes would betray him, if seen by any 
more pure-hearted than he. But a smile of triumph 
played under the lurking gleams of Hagen’s eye ; and he 
walked erect and bold, as if he had done a praise- 
worthy deed. 

That night a storm came sweeping down from the 
North, and the cold rain fell in torrents ; and great hail- 
stones pattered on the roofs and towers of the castle, 
and cruelly pelted the cattle in the fields, and the birds 
in the friendly shelter of the trees. And old Thor 
fought bravely with the Storm-giants ; and all night 
long the rattle of his chariot-wheels, and the heavy 
strokes of his dread hammer, were heard resounding 
through the heavens. In his lonely chamber Hagen 
sat and rubbed his hands together, and grimly smiled. 

“ The time so long waited for has come at last,” he 
said. 

But the guilty king, unable to sleep, walked rest- 
lessly to and fro, and trembled with fear at every sound 
of the storm-gust without. 

When day dawned at last, a sad scene met the eyes 
of all beholders. The earth was covered with the 
broken branches of leafy trees ; the flowers and shrubs 
were beaten pitilessly to the ground; and here and 
there lay the dead bodies of little feathered songsters. 


262 


The Story of Siegfried . 


who, the day before, had made the woods glad with 
their music. 

The sun had scarcely risen above this sorrowful 
scene, gilding the gray towers and turrets and the 
drooping trees with the promise of better things, than 
a strange confusion was noticed outside of the castle- 
gates. Thirty and two horsemen wearing the livery of 
the North-lands stood there, and asked to be led to the 
Burgundian kings. 

“Who are you ? and what is your errand ? ” asked the 
gate-keeper. 

“We come as heralds and messengers from Lcudiger 
and Leudigast, the mighty kings of the North,” they 
answered. “But our errand we can tell to no man 
save to Gunther your king, or to his brothers Gernot 
and Giselher.” 

Then they were led by the king’s command into the 
council-hall, where sat Gunther, Gernot, and the noble 
Giselher; and behind them stood their uncle and chief, 
brave old Hagen. 

“ What message bring you from our old friends Leu- 
diger and Leudigast ? ” asked Gunther of the stran- 
gers. 

“ Call them not your friends,” answered the chief of 
the company. “ We bring you this message from our 
liege lords, whom you may well count as enemies. 
Many years ago they were sorely beaten in battle, and 
suffered much hurt at your hands. And they vowed 
then to avenge the injury, and to wipe out the disgrace 


How the Mischief began to Brew . 263 

you had caused them, just so soon as they were strong 
enough to do so. Now they are ready, with fifty 
thousand men, to march into your country. And they 
swear to lay waste your lands, and to burn your towns 
and villages and all your castles, unless you at once 
acknowledge yourselves their vassals, and agree to pay 
them tribute. This is the kings’ message. And we 
were further ordered not to wait for an answer, but to 
carry back to them without delay your reply, whether 
you will agree to their terms or no.” 

King Gunther, as was his wont, turned to Hagen for 
advice. 

“ Se;id for Siegfried,” whispered the chief. 

It was done. And soon the hero came into the hall. 
His kingly grace and warlike bearing were such that 
Gunther dared not raise his guilty eyes from the 
ground ; and Hagen’s furtive glances were, for the 
moment, freighted with fear and shame. The message 
of the heralds was repeated to Siegfried ; and Gunther 
said, — 

“ Most noble friend, you hear what word these trai- 
torous kings dare send us. Now, we remember, that, 
long years ago, you led us against them, and gave us a 
glorious victory. We remember, too, how, by your 
counsel, their lives were spared, and they were sent 
home with costly gifts. It is thus they repay our kind- 
ness. What answer shall we send them ? ” 

“ Say that we will fight,” answered Siegfried at once. 
“ I will lead my brave Nibelungens against them, and 


264 


The Story of Siegfried. 


they shall learn how serious a thing it is to break an 
oath, or to return treason for kindness.” 

The news soon spread through all the town and 
through the country-side, that Leudiger and Leudigast, 
with fifty thousand men, were marching into Burgundy, 
and destroying every thing in their way. And great 
fright and confusion prevailed. Men and women hur- 
ried hither and thither in dismay. Soldiers busily 
sharpened their weapons, and burnished their armor, 
ready for the fray. Little children were seen cowering 
at every sound, and anxious faces were found every- 
where. 

When Queen Kriemhild saw the busy tumult, and 
heard the shouts and cries in the street and the court- 
yard, and learned the cause of it all, she was greatly 
troubled, and went at once to seek Siegfried. When 
she found him, she drew him aside, and besought him 
not to take part in the war which threatened, but to 
hasten with all speed back to their own loved ‘Nibelun- 
gen Land. 

“ And why would my noble queen wish me thus to 
play the part of a coward, and to leave my friends 
when they most need my help ? ” asked Siegfried in 
surprise. 

“ I would not have you play the coward,” answered 
Kriemhild, and hot tears stood in her eyes. “But 
some unseen danger overhangs. There are other trai- 
tors than Leudiger and Leudigast, and men to be more 
feared than they. Last night I dreamed a fearful 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 265 


dream, and it follows me still. I dreamed that you 
hunted in the forest, and that two wild boars attacked 
you. The grass and the flowers were stained with your 
gore, and the cruel tusks of the beasts tore you in 
pieces, and no one came to your help. And I cried 
out in my distress, and awoke ; and the storm-clouds 
roared and threatened, and the hail pattered on the 
roof, and the wind and rain beat against the window- 
panes. Then I slept again, and another dream, as 
fearful as the first, came to me. I dreamed that you 
rode in the forest, and that music sprang up in your 
footsteps, and all things living called you blessed, but 
that suddenly two mountains rose up from the ground, 
and their high granite crags toppled over, and fell upon 
you, and buried you from my sight forever. Then I 
awoke again, and my heart has ever since been heavy 
with fearful forebodings. I know that some dread evil 
threatens us ; yet, what it is, I cannot tell. But go not 
out against the North-kings. Our Nibelungen-folk wait 
too long for your coming.” 

Siegfried gayly laughed at his queen’s fears, and said, 
“The woof of every man’s fate has been woven by 
the Norns, and neither he nor his foes can change it. 
When his hour comes, then he must go to meet his 
destiny.” 

Then he led her gently back to her room in the 
castle, and bade her a loving farewell, saying, “When 
the foes of our Burgundian hosts are put to flight, and 
there is no longer need for us here, then will we hasten 


266 


The Story of Siegfried . 


back to Nibelungen Land. Have patience and hope 
for a few days only, and all will yet be well. Forget 
your foolish dreams, and think only of my glad return.” 

It was arranged, that, in the march against the 
North-kings, Siegfried with his Nibelungens should 
take the lead ; while Hagen, with a picked company of 
fighting-men, should bring up the rear. Every one was 
eager to join in the undertaking; and no one, save 
King Gunther and his cunning counsellor, and Ortwin 
and Dankwart, knew that the pretended heralds from 
the North-kings were not heralds at all, but merely the 
false tools of wicked Hagen. For the whole was but a 
well-planned plot, as we shall see, to entrap unwary, 
trusting Siegfried. 

Soon all things were in readiness for the march ; but, 
as the day was now well spent, it was agreed, that, at 
early dawn of the morrow, the little army should set 
out. And every one went home to put his affairs in 
order, and to rest for the night. 

Late that evening old Hagen went to bid Siegfried’s 
queen good-by. Kriemhild had tried hard to drown 
her gloomy fears, and to forget her sad, foreboding 
dreams ; but it was all in vain, for deep anxiety still 
rested heavily upon her mind. Yet she welcomed her 
dark-browed uncle with the kindest words. 

“ How glad I am,” she said, “that my husband is 
here to help my kinsfolk in this their time of need ! I 
know right well, that, with him to lead, you shall win. 
But, dear uncle, remember, when you are in the battle, 


How the Mischief began to Brew. 267 


that we have always loved you, and that Siegfried has 
done many kindnesses to the Burgundians ; and, if any 
danger threaten him, turn it aside, I pray you, for 
Krienfhild’s sake. I know that I merit Queen Brun- 
hild’s anger, because of the sharp words I lately spoke 
to her ; but let not my husband suffer blame for that 
which is my fault alone.” 

“Kriemhild,” answered Hagen, “no one shall suffer 
blame, — neither Siegfried nor yourself. We are all 
forgetful, and sometimes speak hasty words ; but that 
which we say in angry thoughtlessness should not be 
^cherished up against us. There is no one who thinks 
more highly of Siegfried than I, and there is nothing I 
would not do to serve him.” * 

“I should not fear for him,” said she, “if he were 
not so bold and reckless. When he is in the battle, 
he never thinks of his own safety. And I tremble 
lest at some time he may dare too much, and meet his 
death. If you knew every thing, as I do, you would 
fear for him too.” 

“ What is it ? ” asked Hagen, trying to hide his 
eagerness, — “ what is it that gives you cause for fear ? 
Tell me all about it, and then I will know the better 
how to shield him from danger. I will lay down my 
life for his sake.” 

Then Kriemhild, trusting in her uncle’s word, and 
forgetful of every caution, told him the secret of the 
dragon’s blood, and of Siegfried’s strange bath, and of 
the mischief-working lime-leaf. 


268 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ And now,” she added, “ since I know that there is 
one spot which a deadly weapon might reach, I am in 
constant fear that the spear of an enemy may, per- 
chance, strike him there. Is there not some way of 
shielding that spot ? ” 

“ There is,” answered Hagen. “Make some mark, 
or put some sign, upon his coat, that I may know where 
that spot is. And, when the battle rages, I will ride 
close behind him, and ward off every threatened stroke.” 

And Kriemhild joyfully promised that she would at 
once embroider a silken lime-leaf on the hero’s coat, 
just over the fatal spot. And Hagen, well pleased, 
bade her farewell, and went away. 

Without delay the chief sought the weak-minded 
Gunther, and to him he related all that the trustful 
Kriemhild had told him. And, until the midnight 
hour, the two plotters sat in the king’s bed-chamber, 
and laid their cunning plans. Both thought it best, 
now they had learned the fatal secret, to give up the 
sham march against the North-kings, and to seek by 
other and easier means to lure Siegfried to his death. 

“ The chiefs will be much displeased,” said Gunther. 

“ For all will come, ready to march at the rising of the 
sun. What shall we do to please them, and make them 
more ready to change their plans ? ” 

Hagen thought a moment, and then the grim smile . 
that was wont to break the dark lines of his face when 
he was pleased spread over his features. 

“We will have a grand hunt in the Odenwald to- 
morrow,” he hoarsely whispered. 


Hcrw they Hunted in the Odenwald . 269 


ADVENTURE XIX. 


HOW THEY HUNTED IN THE 
ODENWALD. 

Next morning, at earliest daybreak, while yet the 
stars were bright, and the trees hung heavy with dew- 
drops, and the clouds were light and high, King Sieg- 
fried stood with his warriors before the castle-gate. 
They waited but for the sunrise, and a word from 
Gunther the king, to ride forth over dale and woodland, 
and through forest and brake and field, to meet, as they 
believed, the hosts of the North-land kings. And Sieg- 
fried moved among them, calm-faced and bright as a 
war-god, upon the radiant Greyfell. And men said, long 
years afterward, that never had the shining hero 
seemed so glorious to their sight. Within the spacious 
courtyard a thousand Burgundian braves stood waiting, 
too, for the signal, and the king’s word of command. 
And at their head stood Hagen, dark as a cloud in 
summer, guilefully hiding his vile plots, and giving out 
orders for the marching. There, too, were honest 
Gernot, fearless and upright, and Giselher, true as 
gold ; and neither of them dreamed of evil, or of the 


270 


The Story of Siegfried. 


dark deed that day was doomed to see. Close by the 
gate was Ortwin, bearing aloft the blood-red dragon- 
banner, which the Burgundians were wont to carry in 
honor of Siegfried’s famous fight with Fafnir. And 
there was Dankwart, also, ever ready to boast when no 
danger threatened, and ever willing to do chief Hagen’s 
bidding. And next came Volker the Fiddler good, 
with the famed sword Fiddle-bow by him, on which, it 
is said, he could make the sweetest music while fight- 
ing his foes in battle. 

At length the sun began to peep over the eastern 
hills, and his beams fell upon the castle-walls, and shot 
away through the trees, and over the meadows, and 
made the dewdrops glisten like myriads of diamonds 
among the dripping leaves and blossoms. And a glad 
shout went up from the throats of the waiting heroes ; 
for they thought that the looked-for moment had come, 
and the march would soon begin. And the shout was 
echoed from walls to turrets, and from turrets to trees, 
and from trees to hills, and from the hills to the vaulted 
sky above. And nothing was wanting now but King 
Gunther’s word of command. 

Suddenly, far down the street, the sound of a bugle 
was heard, and then of the swift clattering of horses’ 
hoofs coming up the hill towards the castle. 

“ Who are they who come thus to join us at the last 
moment ? ” asked Hagen of the watchman above the gate. 

“ They are strangers,” answered the watchman ; 
“and they carry a peace-flag.” 


How they Hunted in the Odenwald . 271 


In a few moments the strange horsemen dashed up, 
and halted some distance from the castle-gate, where 
Siegfried and his heroes stood. 

“Who are you? and what is your errand?” cried 
Hagen, in the king’s name. 

They answered that they were heralds from the 
North-land kings, sent quickly to correct the message 
of the day before ; for their liege lords, Leudiger and 
Leudigast, they said, had given up warring against 
Burgundy, and had gone back to their homes. And they 
had sent humbly to ask the Rhineland kings to forget 
the rash threats which they had made, and to allow 
them to swear fealty to Gunther, and henceforth to be 
his humble vassals, if only they might be forgiven. 

“ Right cheerfully do we forgive them ! ” cried 
Gunther, not waiting to consult with his wise men. 
“And our forgiveness shall be so full, that we shall ask 
neither fealty nor tribute from them.” 

Then he turned to Siegfried, and said, “You hear, 
friend Siegfried, how this troublesome matter has been 
happily ended. Accept our thanks, we pray you, for 
your proffered help ; for, without it, it might have gone 
but roughly with us in a second war with the North- 
land kings. But now you are free to do what pleases 
you. If, as you said yesterday, you would fain return 
to Nibelungen Land, you may send your warriors on 
the way to-day, for they are already equipped for the 
journey. But abide you with us another , day, and 
to-morrow \ye will bid you God-speed, and you may 


272 


The Story of Siegfried. 


easily overtake your Nibelungen friends ere they have 
reached our own boundaries.” 

Siegfried was not well pleased to give up an under- 
taking scarce begun, and still less could he understand 
why the king should be so ready to forgive the affront 
which the North-land kings had offered him. And he 
was not slow in reading the look of shame and guilt 
that lurked in Gunther’s face, or the smile of jealous 
hate that Hagen could no longer hide. Yet no word of 
displeasure spoke he, nor seemed he to understand 
that any mischief was brewing ; for he feared neither 
force nor guile. So he bade his Nibelungens to begin 
their homeward march, saying that he and Kriemhild, 
and the ladies of her train, would follow swiftly on the 
morrow. 

“Since it is your last day with us,” said Gunther, 
grown cunning through Hagen’s teaching, “what say 
you, dear Siegfried, to a hunt in Odin’s Wood ? ” 

“Right glad will I be to join you in such sport,” 
answered Siegfried. “ I will change my war-coat for a 
hunting-suit, and be ready within an hour.” 

Then Siegfried went to his apartments, and doffed 
his steel-clad armor, and searched in vain through his 
wardrobe for his favorite hunting-suit. But it was 
nowhere to be found ; and he was fain to put on the rich 
embroidered coat which he sometimes wore in battle, 
instead of a coat-of-mail. And he did not see the 
white lime-leaf that Kriemhild with anxious care had 
worked in silk upon it. Then he sought the queen, 


How they Hunted in the Odenwald. 273 


and told her of the unlooked-for change of plans, and 
how, on the morrow, they would ride towards Nibe- 
lungen Land; but to-day he said ^ he had promised 
Gunther to hunt with him in the Odenwald. 

But Kriemhild, to his great surprise, begged him not 
to leave her, even to hunt in the Odenwald. For she 
had begun to fear that she had made a great mistake in 
telling Hagen the story of the lime-leaf ; and yet she 
could not explain to Siegfried the true cause of her 
uneasiness. 

“ Oh, do not join in the hunt ! ” she cried. “ Some- 
thing tells me that danger lurks hidden in the wood. 
Stay in the castle with me, and help me put things in 
readiness for our journey homewards to-morrow. Last 
night I had another dream. I thought that Odin’s 
birds, Hugin and Munin, sat on a tree before me. 
And Hugin flapped his wings, and said, ‘What more 
vile than a false friend ? What more to be feared than 
a secret foe ? Harder than stone is his unfeeling heart ; 
sharper than the adder’s poison-fangs are his words ; a 
snake in the grass is he ! ’ Then Hunin flapped his 
wings too, but said nothing. And I awoke, and thought 
at once of the sunbright Balder, slain through Loki’s 
vile deceit. And, as I thought upon his sad death, a 
withered leaf came fluttering through the casement, 
and fell upon my couch. Sad signs and tokens are 
these, my husband ; and much grief, I fear, they fore- 
tell.” 

But Siegfried was deaf to her words of warning, and 


The Story of Siegfried. 


274 


he laughed at the foolish dream. Then he bade her 
farewell till even-tide, and hastened to join the party 
of huntsmen who waited for him impatiently at the 
gate. 

When the party reached the Odenwald, they sepa- 
rated ; each man taking his own course, and following 
his own game. Siegfried, with but one trusty hunts- 
man and his own fleet-footed hound, sought at once 
the wildest and thickest part of the wood. And great 
was the slaughter he made among the fierce beasts of 
the forest ; for nothing that was worthy of notice could 
hide from his sight, or escape him. From his lair in a 
thorny thicket, a huge wild boar sprang up ; and with 
glaring red eyes, and mouth foaming, and tusks gnash- 
ing with rage, he charged fiercely upon the hero. But, 
with one skilful stroke from his great spear, Siegfried 
laid the beast dead on the heather. Next he met a 
tawny lion, couched ready to spring upon him ; but, 
drawing quickly his heavy bow, he sent a quivering 
arrow through the animal’s heart. Then, one after 
another, he slew a buffalo, four bisons, a mighty elk 
with branching horns, and many deers and stags and 
savage beasts. 

At one time the hound drove from its hiding-place 
another wild boar, much greater than the first, and far 
more fierce. Quickly Siegfried dismounted from his 
horse, and met the grizzly creature as it rushed with 
raving fury towards him. The sword of the hero cleft 
the beast in twain, and its bloody parts lay lifeless on 


How they Hunted in the Odenwald . 275 


the ground. Then Siegfried’s huntsman, in gay mood, 
said, “ My lord, would it not be better to rest a while? 
If you keep on slaughtering at this rate, there will soon 
be no game left in Odenwald.” 

Siegfried laughed heartily at the merry words, and at 
once called in his hound, saying, “You are right! We 
will hunt no more until our good friends have joined 
• us.” 

Soon afterward the call of a bugle was heard ; and 
Gunther and Hagen and Dankwart and Ortwin, with 
their huntsmen and hounds, came riding up. 

“ What luck have you had, my friends ? ” asked Sieg- 
fried. 

Then Hagen told what game they had taken, — a 
deer, a young bear, and two small wild boars. But, 
when they learned what Siegfried had done, the old 
chief’s face grew dark, and he knit his eyebrows, and 
bit his lips in jealous hate : for four knights, ten hunts- 
men, and four and twenty hounds, had beaten every 
bush, and followed every trail ; and yet the Nibelungen 
king, with but one follower and or\e hound, had slain 
ten times as much game as they. 

While they stood talking over the successes of the 
day, the sound of a horn was heard, calling the sports- 
men together for the mid-day meal ; and knights and 
huntsmen turned their steeds, and rode slowly towards 
the trysting-place. Suddenly a huge bear, roused by 
the noise of baying hounds and tramping feet, crossed 
their pathway. 


276 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“ Ah ! ” cried Siegfried, “ there goes our friend Bruin, 
just in time to give us a bit of fun, and some needed 
sport at dinner. He shall go with us, and be our 
guest ! ” 

With these words he loosed his hound, and dashed 
swiftly forwards after the beast. Through thick under- 
brush and tangled briers, and over fallen trees, the 
frightened creature ran, until at last it reached a steep 
hillside. There, in a rocky cleft, it stood at bay, and 
fought fiercely for its life. When Siegfried came up, 
and saw that his hound dared not take hold of the 
furious beast, he sprang from his horse, and seized the 
bear in his own strong arms, and bound him safely 
with a stout cord. Then he fastened an end of the 
cord to his saddle-bows, and remounted his steed. 
And thus he rode through the forest to the place 
where the dinner waited, dragging the unwilling bear 
behind him, while the dog bounded gayly along by his 
side. 

No nobler sight had ever been seen in that forest 
than that which Gunther’s people saw that day. The 
Nibelungen king was dressed as well became so great a 
hero. His suit was of the speckled lynx’s hide and rich 
black silk, upon which were embroidered many strange 
devices, with threads of gold. (But, alas ! between the 
shoulders was the silken lime-leaf that Queen Kriem- 
hild’s busy fingers had wrought.) His cap was of the 
blackest fur, brought from the frozen Siberian land. 
Over his shoulder was thrown his well-filled quiver, 


How they Hunted in the Odenwald. 277 


made of lion’s skin ; and in his hands he carried his 
bow of mulberry, — a very beam in size, and so strong 
that no man save himself could bend it. A golden 
hunting-horn was at his side, and his sunbright shield 
lay on his saddle-bow; while his mighty sword, the 
fire-edged Balmung, in its sheath glittering with gem- 
stones, hung from his jewelled belt. 

The men who stood around chief Hagen, and who 
saw the hero coming thus god-like through the green- 
wood, admired and trembled ; and Dankwart whispered 
a word of caution to his dark-browed brother. But the 
old chief’s face grew gloomier than before ; and he 
scowled fiercely upon the faint-hearted Dankwart, as 
he hoarsely whispered in return, — 

“ What though he be Odin himself, still will I dare ! 
It is not I : it is the Norns, who shape every man’s 
fate.” 

When Siegfried reached the camp with his prize, 
the huntsmen shouted with delight; and the hounds 
howled loudly, and shook their chains, and tried hard 
to get at the shaggy beast The king leaped to the 
ground, and unloosed the cords which bound him; 
and at the same time the hounds were unleashed, and 
set upon the angry, frightened creature. Hemmed in 
on every side, the bear rushed blindly forwards, and 
leaped over the fires, where the cooks were busy with 
the dinner. Pots and kettles were knocked about in 
great confusion, and the scared cooks thrown sprawl- 
ing upon the ground ; and many a dainty dish and 


278 


The Story of Siegfried . 


savory mess was spoiled. The bear fled fast down the 
forest road, followed by the baying hounds and the 
fleet-footed warriors. But none dared shoot an arrow 
at him for fear of killing the dogs ; and it seemed as if 
he would surely escape, so fast he ran away. Then 
Siegfried bounded forwards, swifter than a deer, over- 
took the bear, and with one stroke of the sword gave 
him his death-blow. And all who saw this feat of 
strength and quickness wondered greatly, and felt that 
such a hero must indeed be without a peer. 

When Gunther’s cooks had made the dinner ready, 
the company sat down on the grass, and all partook of 
a merry meal ; for the bracing air and the morning’s 
sport had made sharp appetites. But, when they had 
eaten, they were surprised to find that there was noth- 
ing to drink. Indeed, there was neither wine nor 
water in the camp. 

“ How glad I am,” said Siegfried gayly, “ that I am 
not a huntsman by trade, if it is a huntsman’s way to 
go thus dry ! Oh for a glass of wine, or even a cup 
of cold spring-water, to quench my thirst ! ” 

“We will make up for this oversight when we go 
back home,” said Gunther; and his heart was black 
with falsehood. “The blame in this matter should 
rest on Hagen, for it was he who was to look after the 
drinkables.” 

“My lord,” said Hagen, “I fell into a mistake by 
thinking that we would dine, not here, but at the Spes- 
sart Springs ; and thither I sent the wine.” 


How they Hunted in the Odenwald. 279 


“ And is there no water near ? ” asked Siegfried. 

“Yes,” answered Hagen. “There is a cool, shady 
spring not far from here, where the water gushes in a 
clear, cold stream from beneath a linden-tree. Do but 
forgive me for the lack of wine, and I will lead you to 
it. It is a rare spring, and the water is almost as good 
as wine.” 

“ Better than wine for me ! ” cried Siegfried. And 
he asked to be shown to the spring at once. 

Hagen arose, and pointed to a tree not far away, 
beneath whose spreading branches Siegfried could see 
the water sparkling in the sunlight. 

“Men have told me,” said the chief, “that the 
Nibelungen king is very fleet of foot, and that no one 
has ever outstripped him in the race. Time was, when 
King Gunther and myself were spoken of as very swift 
runners ; and, though we are now growing old, I fancy 
that many young men would, even now, fail to keep 
pace with us. Suppose we try a race to the spring, 
and see which of the three can win.” 

“Agreed!” cried Siegfried. “We will run; and, if 
I am beaten, I will kneel down in the grass to him who 
wins. I will give the odds in your favor too ; for I 
will carry with me my spear, and my shield, and my 
helmet and sword, and all the trappings of the chase, 
while you may doff from your shoulders whatever 
might hinder your speed.” 

So Gunther and Hagen laid aside all their arms, and 
put off their heavy clothing ; but Siegfried took up his 


28 o 


The Story of Siegfried. 


bow and quiver, and his heavy shield, and his beam- 
like spear. Then the word was given, and all three 
ran with wondrous speed. Gunther and his chief flew 
over the grass as light-footed as two wild panthers : 
but Siegfried sped swift as an arrow shot from the hand 
of a skilful bowman. He reached the spring when 
yet the others were not half way to it. He laid his 
spear and sword, and bow and quiver of arrows, upon 
the ground, and leaned his heavy shield against the 
linden-tree ; and then he waited courteously for King 
Gunther to come up, for his knightly honor would 
not allow him to drink until his host had quenched 
his thirst. 

Gunther, when he reached the spring, stooped over, 
and drank heartily of the cool, refreshing water ; and, 
after he had risen, Siegfried knelt upon the grass at 
the edge of the pool to quaff from the same gushing 
fountain. Stealthily then, and with quickness, did 
chief Hagen hide his huge bow and his quiver, and 
his good sword Balmung, and, seizing the hero’s spear, 
he lifted it in air, and with too steady aim struck the 
silken lime-leaf that the loving Kriemhild had embroi- 
dered. Never in all the wide mid-world was known a 
deed more cowardly, never a baser act. The hero was 
pierced with his own weapon by one he had deemed his 
friend. His blood gushed forth in torrents, and dyed 
the green grass red, and discolored the sparkling water, 
and even filled the face and eyes of vile Hagen. 

Yet, in the hour of death, King Siegfried showed 


How they Hunted in the Odenwald. 281 


how noble was his soul, how great his strength of 
will. Up he rose from his bended knees, and fiercely 
glanced around. Then, had not the evil-eyed chief, 
who never before had shunned a foe, fled with fleet- 
footed fear, quick vengeance would have overtaken 
him. In vain did the dying king look for his bow and 
his trusty sword : too safely had they been hidden. 
Then, though death was fast dimming his eyes, he 
seized his heavy shield, and sprang after, the flying 
Hagen. Swift as the wind he followed him, quickly 
he overtook him. With his last strength he felled the 
vile wretch to the ground, and beat him with the shield, 
until the heavy plates of brass and steel were broken, 
and the jewels which adorned it were scattered among 
the grass. The sound of the heavy blows was heard 
far through the forest ; and, had the hero’s strength held 
out, Hagen would have had his reward . 1 But Siegfried, 
weak and pale from the loss of blood, now staggered, 
and fell among the trampled flowers of the wood. 

Then with his last breath he thus upbraided his false 
friends : — 

“ Cowards and traitors, ye ! A curse shall fall upon 
you. My every care has been to serve and please you, 
and thus I am requited. Bitterly shall you rue this deed. 
The brand of traitor is set upon your foreheads, and it 
shall be a mark of loathing and shame to you forever.” 

Then the weak old Gunther began to wring his 
hands, and to bewail the death of Siegfried. But the 
hero bade him hush, and asked him of what use it was 

1 See Note 32 at the end of this volume 


282 


The Story of Siegfried. 


to regret an act which could have been done only by 
his leave and sanction. 

“ Better to have thought of tears and groans before,” 
said he. “ I have always known that you were a man 
of weak mind, but never did I dream that you could 
lend yourself to so base a deed. And now, if there is 
left aught of manliness in your bosom, I charge you to 
have a care for Kriemhild your sister. Long ‘shall 
my loved Nibelungen-folk await my coming home.” 

The glorious hero struggled in the last agony. The 
grass and flowers were covered with his blood ; the trees 
shivered, as if in sympathy with him, and dropped their 
leaves upon the ground; the birds stopped singing, and 
sorrowfully flew away ; and a solemn silence fell upon 
the earth, as if the very heart of Nature had been 
crushed. 

And the men who stood around — all save the four 
guilty ones — bowed their heads upon their hands, and 
gave way to one wild burst of grief. Then tenderly 
they took up Siegfried, and laid him upon a shield, 
with his mighty weapons by him. And, when the 
sorrowing Night had spread her black mantle over the 
mid-world, they carried him silently out of the forest, 
and across the river, and brought him, by Gunther’s 
orders, to the old castle, which now nevermore would 
resound with mirth and gladness. And they laid him 
at Kriemhild’s door, and stole sadly away to their own 
places, and each one thought bitterly of the morrow . 1 

1 See Note 33 at the end of this volume. 



41 






THE DEATH OF SIEGFRIED 






















- 












































How the Hoard was brought to Burgundy. 283 


ADVENTURE XX. 


HOW THE HOARD WAS BROUGHT 
TO BURGUNDY. 

And what was done on the morrow ? 

Too sad is the tale of Kriemhild’s woe and her grief 
for the mighty dead. Let us pass it by in tearful, pity- 
ing silence, nor wish to awaken the echoes of that 
morning of hopeless anguish which dawned on the 
cold and cheerless dwelling of the kings. For peace 
had fled from Burgundy, nevermore to return. 

Siegfried was dead. Faded, now, was the glory of the 
Nibelungen Land, and gone was the mid-world’s hope. 

It is told in ancient story, how men built a funeral- 
pile far out on the grassy meadows, where the quiet 
river flows; and how, in busy silence, they laid the 
sun-dried beams of ash and elm together, and made 
ready the hero’s couch; and how the pile was dight 
with many a sun-bright shield, with war-coats and 
glittering helms, and silks and rich dyed cloths from 
the South-land, and furs, and fine-wrought ivory, and 
gem-stones priceless and rare ; and how, over all, they 
scattered sweet spices from Araby, and the pleasantest 


284 


The Story of Siegfried. 


of all perfumes. Then they brought the golden Sieg- 
fried, and laid him on his couch ; and beside him were 
his battered shield, and Balmung with its fire-edge 
bare. And, as the sun rose high in heaven, the noblest 
earl-folk who had loved Siegfried best touched fire to 
the funeral-pile. And a pleasant breeze from the South- 
land fanned the fire to a flame, and the white blaze 
leaped on high, and all the folk cried out in mighty 
agony to the gods. 

Such was the story that men told to each other 
when the world was still young, and the heroes were 
unforgotten . 1 And some said, too, that Brunhild, the 
fair and hapless queen, died*then of a broken heart and 
of a hopeless, yearning sorrow, and that she was 
burned with Siegfried on that high-built funeral-pile. 

“They are gone, — the lovely, the mighty, the hope of the ancient 
earth : 

It shall labor and bear the burden as before the day of their 
birth: . . . 

It shall yearn, and be oft-times holpen, and forget their deeds no 
more, 

Till the new sun beams on Balder and the happy sealess 
shore .” 2 

Another and much later story is sometimes told of 
these last sad days, — how the hero’s ‘body was laid in a 
coffin, and buried in the quiet earth, amid the sorrowful 
lamentations of all the Rhineland folk; and how, at 


1 See Note 34 at the end of this volume. 

2 Morris: Sigurd the Volsung, Bk. III. 


How the Hoard was brought to Burgundy . 285 


Kriemhild’s earnest wish, it was afterwards removed to 
the place where now stands the little minster of 
Lorsch. As to which of these stories is the true one, 
it is not for me to say. Enough it is to know that 
Siegfried was dead, and that the spring-time had fled, 
and the summer-season with all its golden glories had 
faded away from Rhineland, and that the powers of 
darkness and of cold and of evil had prevailed. 

To this day the city where was the dwelling of the 
Burgundian kings is called Worms, in remembrance of 
the dragon, or worm, which Siegfried slew ; and a 
figure of that monster was for many years painted upon 
the city arms, and borne on the banner of the Bur- 
gundians. And, until recently, travellers were shown 
the Reisen-haus, — a stronghold, which, men say, Sieg- 
fried built ; and in it were many strange and mighty 
weapons, which, they claim, were wielded by the hero. 
The lance which was shown there was a great beam 
nearly eighty feet in length ; and the war-coat, wrought 
with steel and gold, and bespangled with gem-stones, 
was a wonder to behold. And now, in the Church of 
St. Cecilia, you may see what purports to be the herd’s 
grave. And a pleasant meadow, not far from the town, 
is still called Kriemhild’s Rose-garden ; while farther 
away is the place' called Drachenfels, or the dragon’s 
field, where, they say, Siegfried met Fafnir. But 
whether it is the same as the Glittering Heath of the 
ancient legend, I know not. 

And what became of the Hoard of Andvari ? 



286 


The Story of Siegfried. 


The story is briefly told. 1 When the days of mourn- 
ing were past, and the people had gone back sadly to 
their homes, Queen Kriemhild began to speak of return- 
ing to the land of the Nibelungens. But Ute, her aged 
mother, could not bear to part with her, and besought 
her to stay, for a while at least, in the now desolate 
Burgundian castle. And Gernot and Giselher, her true 
and loving brothers, added their words of entreaty also. 
And so, though heart-sick, and with many misgivings, 
she agreed to abide for a season in this cheerless and 
comfortless place. Many days, even months, dragged 
by, and still she remained ; for she found it still harder 
and harder to tear herself away from her mother, and 
all that her heart held dear. Yet never, for three years 
and more, did she even speak to Gunther, or by any sign 
show that she remembered him. And, as for Hagen, 
n<j words could utter the deep and settled hate she felt 
towards him. But the dark-browed chief cared nought 
either for love or hate ; and he walked erect, as in the 
days of yore, and he smiled and frowned alike for both 
evil and good. And he said, “ It was not I : it was the 
Norns, who wove the woof of his life and mine.” 

The years went by on leaden wings, and brought no 
sunlight to Gunther’s dwelling ; for his days were full 
of sadness, and his nights of fearful dreams. At length 
he said to chief Hagen, “ If there is aught in the mid- 
world that can drive away this gloom, I pray thee to 
help me find it ; for madness steals upon me.” 

1 See Note 35 at the end of this volume. 


How the Hoard was brought to Burgundy . 287 


“There is one thing,” answered Hagen, “which might 
brighten our land again, and lift up your drooping spirits, 
and bring gladness to jour halls.” 

“ What is that ? ” asked the king. 

“ It is the Nibelungen Hoard,” said the chief. “ It 
is the wondrous treasure of Andvari, which Siegfried 
gave as a gift to Kriemhild. If it were ours, we might 
become the masters of the world.” 

“ But how can we obtain it ? ” 

“ It is Kriemhild’s,” was the answer. “ But she does 
not care for it ; neither could she use it if she wished. 
If you could only gain her favor and forgiveness, I feel 
sure that she would let you do with it as you wish.” 

Then Gunther besought his younger brothers to in- 
tercede for him with Kriemhild, that she would so far 
forgive him as to look upon his face, and speak with 
him once more. And this the queen at last consented 
to do. And, when Gunther came into her presence, 
she was so touched at sight of his haggard face and 
whitened locks, and his earnest words of sorrow, that 
she forgave him the great wrong that he had done, and 
welcomed him again as her brother. And he swore 
that never would he again wrong her or hers, nor do 
aught to grieve her. But it was not until a long time 
after this, that he proposed to her that they should 
bring the Hoard of Andvari away from the Nibelungen 
Land. 

“For, if it were here, dear sister,” he said, “it might 
be of great use to you.” 


288 


The Story of Siegfried. 


“Do whatever seems best to you,” answered Kriem- 
hild. “ Only remember the oath that you have given 
me.” 

Then Gunther, because he was anxious to see the 
wondrous Hoard, but more because he was urged on by 
Hagen, made ready to send to the Nibelungen Land 
to bring away the treasure by Kriemhild’s command. 
Eight thousand men, with Gernot and Giselher as their 
leaders, sailed over the sea in stanch vessels, and landed 
on the Nibelungen shore. And when they told who 
they were, and whence they came, and showed the 
queen’s signet-ring, they were welcomed heartily by 
the fair-haired folk of Mist Land, who gladly acknowl- 
edged themselves the faithful liegemen of the loved 
Kriemhild. 

When the Burgundians made known their errand to 
Alberich the dwarf, who still held watch and ward over 
the mountain stronghold, he was much amazed, and he 
grieved to part with his cherished treasure. 

“ But,” said he to his little followers, who stood around 
him by thousands, each anxious to fight the intruders, 
— “but there is Queen Kriemhild’s order and her signet- 
ring, and we must, perforce, obey. Yet had we again 
the good Tarnkappe which Siegfried took from us, the 
Hoard should never leave us.” 

Then sadly he gave up the keys, and the Burgundians 
began to remove the treasure. For four whole days 
and nights they toiled, carrying the Hoard in huge 
wagons down to the sea. And on the fifth day they 


How the Hoard was brought to Burgundy. 289 


set sail, and without mishap arrived in good time at 
Worms. And many of Alberich’s people, the swarthy 
elves of the cave, came with Gernot to Rhineland ; for 
they could not live away from the Hoard. And it is 
said, that hidden among the gold and the gem-stones 
was the far-famed Wishing-rod, which would give to 
its owner the power of becoming the lord of the wide 
mid-world. 

And the vast treasure was stored in the towers and 
vaults of the castle. And Queen Kriemhild alone held 
the keys, and lavishly she scattered the gold wherever 
it was needed most. The hungry were fed, the naked 
were clothed, the sick were cared for ; and everybody 
near and far blessed the peerless Queen of Nibelungen 
Land. 

Then Hagen, always plotting evil, whispered to King 
Gunther, and said, “ It is dangerous to suffer your sister 
to hold so vast a treasure. All the people are even now 
ready to leave you, and follow her. She will yet plot 
to seize the kingdom, and destroy us.” 

And he urged the king to take the keys and to make 
the Nibelungen Hoard his own. 

But Gunther answered, “I have already done too 
great a wrong. And I have sworn to my sister never 
to harm her again, or to do aught that will grieve her.” 

“ Let the guilt, then, rest on me,” said Hagen And 
he strode away, and took the keys from Kriemhild by 
force. 

When Gernot and Giselher heard of this last vile 


290 


The Story of Siegfried . 


act of*the evil-eyed chief, they waxed very angry, and 
vowed that they would help their sister regain that 
which was her own. But the wary Hagen was not to 
be foiled ; for, while the brothers were away from the 
burgh, he caused the great Hoard to be carried to the 
river, at a place called Lochheim, and sunk, fathoms 
deep, beneath the water. And then, for fear of the 
vengeance which might be wreaked upon him, he fled 
from Rhineland, and hid himself for a while among the 
mountains and the barren hill-country of the South. 

And this was the end of the fated Hoard of Andvari. 


THE AFTER WORD. 


Such is the story of Siegfried (or Sigurd), as we 
gather it from various German and Scandinavian 
legends. In this recital I have made no attempt to 
follow any one of the numerous originals, but have 
selected here and there such incidents as best suited 
my purpose in constructing one connected story which 
would convey to your minds some notion of the beauty 
and richness of our ancient myths. In doing this, I 
have drawn, now from the Volsunga Saga, now from the 
Nibelungen Lied, now from one of the Eddas, and now 
from some of the minor legends relating to the great 
hero of the North. These ancient stories, although 
differing widely in particulars, have a certain general 
relationship and agreement which proves beyond doubt 
a common origin. “ The primeval myth,” says Thomas 
Carlyle, ‘‘whether it were at first philosophical truth, or 

291 


292 


The After Word. 


historical incident, floats too vaguely on the breath of 
men : each has the privilege of inventing, and the far 
wider privilege of borrowing and new modelling from 
all that preceded him. Thus, though tradition may 
have but one root, it grows, like a banian, into a whole 
overarching labyrinth of trees.” 

If you would follow the tradition of Siegfried to the 
end ; if you would learn how, after the great Hoard had 
been buried in the Rhine, the curse of the dwarf 
Andvari still followed those who had possessed it, and 
how Kriemhild wreaked a terrible vengeance upon Sieg- 
fried’s murderers, — you must read the original story 
as related in the Volsung Myth or in the Nibelungen 
Song. Our story ends with Siegfried. 

The episodes which I have inserted here and there — 
the stories of yEgir, and of Balder, and of Idun, and of 
Thor — do not, as you may know, belong properly to 
the legend of Siegfried ; but I have thrown them in, 
in order to acquaint you with some of the most beau- 
tiful mythical conceptions of our ancestors. 

A grand old people were those early kinsmen of ours, 
— not at all so savage and inhuman as our histories 
would sometimes make us believe. For however mis- 
taken their notions may have been, and however 


The After Word. 


293 


ignorant they were, according to our ideas of things, 
they were strong-hearted, brave workers ; and, so far 
as opportunity was afforded them, they acted well their 
parts. What their notions were of true manhood, — a 
strong mind in a strong body, good, brave, and hand- 
some, — may be learned from the story of Siegfried. 


294 


Notes. 


NOTES. 


Note i. — Siegfried’s Boyhood. Page 4. 

“ All men agree that Siegfried was a king’s son. He was born, 
as we here have good reason to know, ‘at Santen in Netherlands 
- of Siegmund and the fair Siegelinde ; yet by some family misfor- 
tune or discord, of which the accounts are very various, he came 
into singular straits during boyhood, having passed that happy 
period of life, not under the canopies of costly state, but by the 
sooty stithy, in one Mimer, a blacksmith’s shop.” — Thomas Car- 
lyle, The Nibelungen Lied. 

The older versions of this story represent Siegfried, under the 
name of Sigurd, as being brought up at the court of the Danish 
King Hialprek; his own father Sigmund having been slain in 
battle, as related in this chapter. He was early placed under 
the tuition of Regin, or Regino, an elf, who instructed his pupil 
in draughts, runes, languages, and various other accomplishments. 
— See Preface to Vollmer’s Nibelunge Not, also the Song of 
Sigurd Fafnisbane, in the Elder Edda , and the Icelandic Vol- 
sunga Saga. 

Note 2. — Mimer. Page 18. 

“The Vilkinasaga brings before. us yet another smith, Mimer, 
by whom not only is Velint instructed in his art, but Sigfrit (Sieg- 
• fried) is brought up, — another smith’s apprentice. He is occa- 
sionally mentioned in the later poem of Biterolf, as Mime the Old. 
The old name of Munster in Westphalia was Mimigardiford ; the 


Notes. 


295 


Westphalian Minden was originally Mimidun ; and Memleben on 
the Unstrut, Mimileba. . . . The elder Norse tradition names him 
just as often, and in several different connections. In one place, 
a Mimingus, a wood-satyr, and possessor of a sword and jewels, 
is interwoven into the myth of Balder and Hoder. The Edda 
gives a higher position to its Mimer. He has a fountain, in which 
wisdom and understanding lie hidden : drinking of it every morn- 
ing, he is the wisest, most intelligent, of men. To Mimer’s foun- 
tain came Odin, and desired a drink, but did not receive it till he 
had given one of his eyes in pledge, and hidden it in the fountain : 
this accounts for Odin being one-eyed. . . . Mimer is no Asa, but 
an exalted being with whom the Asas hold converse, of whom 
they make use, — the sum total of wisdom, possibly an older 
Nature-god. Later fables degraded him into a wood-sprite, or 
clever smith.” — Grimm’s Deutsche Mythologies I. p. 379. 

Concerning the Mimer of the Eddas , Professor Anderson says, 
“ The name Mimer means the knowing. The Giants, being older 
than the Asas, looked deeper than the latter into the darkness of 
the past. They had witnessed the birth of the gods and the 
beginning of the world, and they foresaw their downfall. Con- 
cerning both these events, the gods had to go to them for knowl- 
edge. It is this wisdom that Mimer keeps in his fountain.” — 
Norse Mythology , p. 209. 

In the older versions of the legend, the smith who cared for 
Siegfried (Sigurd) is called, as we have before noticed, Regin. 
He is thus described by Morris : — 

“ The lore of all men he knew, 

And was deft in every cunning, save the dealings of the sword. 

So sweet was his tongue-speech fashioned, that men trowed his every word. 

His hand with the harp-strings blended was the mingler of delight 
With the latter days of sorrow : all tales he told aright. 

The Master of the Masters in the smithying craft was he; 

And he dealt with the wind and the weather and the stilling of the sea ; 

Nor might any learn him leech-craft, for before that race was made, 

And that man -folk’s generation, all their life-days had he weighed.” 

Sigurd the Volsung , Bk. 1 1. 


296 


Notes. 


Note 3. — The Sword. Page 12. 

“ By this sword Balmung also hangs a tale. Doubtless it was 
one of those invaluable weapons sometimes fabricated by the old 
Northern smiths, compared with which our modern Foxes and 
Ferraras and Toledos are mere leaden tools. Von der Hagen 
seems to think it simply the sword Mimung under another name ; 
in which case, Siegfried’s old master, Mimer, had been the maker 
of it, and called it after himself, as if it had been his son.” — Car- 
lyle, on the Nibelungen Lied ' note. 

In Scandinavian legends, the story of Mimer and Amilias is 
given, differing but slightly from the rendering in this chapter. — 
See Weber and Jamieson’s Illustrations of Northern Antiqui- 
ties. 

In the older versions of the myth, the sword is called Gram, 
or the Wrath. It was wrought from the shards, or broken pieces, 
of Sigmund’s sword, the gift of Odin. It was made by Regin 
for Sigurd’s (Siegfried’s) use, and its temper was tested as here 
described. 

Note 4. — Sigmund the Volsung. Page 16. 

Sigmund the Volsung, in the Volsunga Saga , is represented as 
the father of Sigurd (Siegfried) ; but there is such a marked con- 
trast between him, and the wise, home-abiding King Siegmund of 
the later stories, that I have thought proper to speak of them here 
as two different individuals. The word “ Sigmund,” or “ Sieg- 
mund,” means literally the mouth of victory. The story of the 
Volsungs, as here supposed to be related by Mimer, is derived 
mainly from the Volsunga Saga. 

Note 5. — Siegfried’s Journey into the Forest. Page 22. 

“ In the shop of Mimer, Siegfried was nowise in his proper ele- 
ment, ever quarrelling with his fellow-apprentices, nay, as some 
say, breaking the hardest anvils into shivers by his too stout ham- 


Notes , 


297 


mering; so that Mimer, otherwise a first-rate smith, could by 
no means do with him there. He sends him, accordingly, to the 
neighboring forest to fetch charcoal, well aware that a monstrous 
dragon, one Regin, the smith’s own brother, would meet him, and 
devour him. But far otherwise it proved.” — Carlyle, on The 
Nibelungen Lied. 

Note 6. — The Norns. Pages 26, 53. 

The Norns are the Fates, which watch over man through life. 
They are Urd the Past, Verdande the Present, and Skuld the 
Future. They approach every new-born child, and utter his 
doom. They are represented as spinning the thread of fate, one 
end of which is hidden by Urd in the far east, the other by Ver- 
dande in the far west. Skuld stands ready to rend it in pieces. 
— See Grimm’s Teutonic Mythology , p. 405, also Anderson’s 
Norse Mythology , p. 209. 

The three weird women in Shakspeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth 
represent a later conception of the three Norns, now degraded to 
mere witches. 

Compare the Norns with the Fates of the Greek Mythology. 
These, also, are three in number. They sit clothed in white, and 
garlanded, singing of destiny. Clotho, the Past, spins ; Lachesis, 
the Present, divides; and Atropos, the Future, stands ready with 
her shears to cut the thread. 

Note 7. — The Idea of Fatality. Pages 17, 53. 

Throughout the story of the Nibelungs and Volsungs, of 
Sigurd and of Siegfried, — whether we follow the older versions 
or the more recent renderings, — there is, as it were, an ever- 
present but indefinable shadow of coming fate, “a low, inarticulate 
voice of Doom,” foretelling the inevitable. This is but in con- 
sonance with the general ideas of our Northern ancestors regard- 
ing the fatality which shapes and controls every man’s life. 


298 


Notes . 


These ideas are embodied in more than one ancient legend. 
We find them in the old Anglo-Saxon poem of Beowulf. “To 
us ” cries Beowulf in his last fight, “to us it shall be as our Weird 
betides, — that Weird that is every man’s lord!” “Each man of 
us shall abide the end of his life-work; let him that may work, work 
his doomed deeds ere death comes ! ” Similar ideas prevailed 
among the Greeks. Read, for example, that passage in the Iliad 
describing the parting of Hector and Andromache, and notice the 
» deeper meaning of Hector’s words. 

Note 8. — Regin. Page 28. 

As we have already observed (Note 1), the older versions of this 
myth called Siegfried’s master and teacher Regin, while the more 
recent versions call him Mimer. We have here endeavored to 
harmonize the two versions by representing Mimer as being merely 
Regin in disguise. 

Note 9. — Gripir. Page 30. 

“ A man of few words was Gripir ; but he knew of all deeds that had been ; 

And times there came upon him, when the deeds to be were seen : 

No sword had he held in his hand since his father fell to field, 

And against the life of the slayer he bore undinted shield : 

Yet no fear in his heart abided, nor desired he aught at all; 

But he noted the deeds that had been, and looked for what should befall.” 

Morris’s Sigurd the Vo/sung, Bk. II. 

Note 10. — The Hoard. Page 51. 

This story is found in both the Elder and the Younger Eddas , 
and is really the basis upon which the entire plot of the legend of 
Sigurd, or Siegfried, is constructed. See also Note 18. 

Note ii. — The Dragon. Page 62. 

The oldest form of this story is the Song of Sigurd Fafnisbane, 
in the Elder Edda . The English legend of St. George and the 
Dragon was probably derived from the same original sources. A 


Notes . 


299 


similar myth may be found among all Aryan peoples. Sometimes 
it is a treasure, sometimes a beautiful maiden, that the monster 
guards, or attempts to destroy. Its first meaning was probably 
this : The maiden, or the treasure, is the earth in its beauty and 
fertility. “ The monster is the storm-cloud. The hero who fights 
it is the sun, with his glorious sword, the lightning-flash. By his 
victory the earth is relieved from her peril. The fable has been 
varied to suit the atmospheric peculiarities of different climes iri 
which the Aryans found themselves. ... In Northern mythology 
the serpent is probably the winter cloud, which broods over and 
keeps from mortals the gold of the sun’s light and heat, till in the 
spring the bright orb overcomes the powers of darkness and tem- 
pest, and scatters his gold over the face of the earth.” This 
myth appears in a great variety of forms among the Scandinavian 
and German nations. In the Eddas, Sigurd (Siegfried) is rep- 
resented as roasting the heart of Fafnir, and touching it to his 
lips. We have ventured to present a less revolting version. — 
See Baring-Gould’s Curious Myths of the Middle Ages. 

“The slaying of the dragon Fafnir reminds us of Python, 
whom Apollo overcame ; and, as Python guarded the Delphic 
Oracle, the dying Fafnir prophesies.” — Jacob Grimm. 

Note 12. Page 64. 

In order to harmonize subsequent passages in the story as re- 
lated in different versions, we here represent Siegfried as turning 
his back upon the Glittering Heath, and leaving the Hoard to 
some other hero or discoverer. In the Younger Edda, Siegfried 
(Sigurd) rides onward until he comes to Fafnir’s bed, from which 
“ he took out all the gol£, packed it in two bags, and laid it on 
Grane’s (Greyfelks) back, then got on himself and rode away.” 

Note 13. — Bragi. Page 67. 

This episode of Bragi and his vessel is no part of the original 
story of Siegfried, but is here introduced in order to acquaint you 


3 °° 


Notes. 


with some of the older myths of our ancestors. Bragi was the 
impersonation of music and eloquence, and here represents the 
music of Nature, — the glad songs and sounds of the spring-time. 
“Above any other god,” says Grimm, “one would like to see a 
more general veneration of Bragi revived, in whom was vested the 
gift of poetry and eloquence. ... He appears to have stood in 
pretty close relation to ALgir” 

Note 14. — JE gir. Page 82. 

“ yfLgir was the god presiding over the stormy sea. He enter- 
tains the gods every harvest, and brews ale for them. The name 
still survives in provincial English for the sea-wave on rivers.” — 
Anderson’s Norse Mythology. See Carlyle’s Heroes and Hero- 
Worship. 


Note 15. — The Valkyries. Page 89. 

See Grimm’s Teutonic Mythology, p. 417, and Anderson’s 
Norse Mythology , p. 265. 

Note 16. — Brunhild. Page 95. 

In the Elder Edda , Brunhild’s inaccessible hall stands on a 
mountain, where she was doomed to sleep under her shield until 
Sigurd should release her. In the Nibelungen Lied, she is repre- 
sented as ruling in Isenland, an island far over the sea. The well- 
known story of the Sleeping Beauty is derived from this myth. 

Note 17. — Nibelungen Land. Page 99. 

“Vain were it to inquire where that Nibelungen Land specially 
is. Its very name is Nebel-land, or Nifl-land, the land of Dark- 
ness, of Invisibility. ... Far beyond the firm horizofi, that won- 
der-bearing region swims on the infinite waters, unseen by bodily 
eye, or, at most, discerned as a faint streak hanging in the blue 


Notes. 


301 


depths, uncertain whether island or cloud.” — Carlyle, on The 
Nibehmgen Lied. 

Note 18. — Schilbung and Nibelung. Page 101. 

“ Old King Nibelung, the former lord of the land, had left, when 
he died, a mighty hoard concealed within a mountain-cavern. As 
Siegfried rode past the mountain-side alone, he found Schilbung 
and Nibelung, the king’s sons, seated at the mouth of the cavern, 
surrounded by more gold and precious stones than a hundred 
wagons could bear away. Espying Siegfried, they called upon 
him to settle their dispute, offering him as reward their father’s 
mighty sword Balmung.” — Auber Forestier’s Translation of 
the Nibelutigen Lied. 

We have here made some slight variations from the original 
versions. (See also Note 12.) 

An ancient legend relates how King Schilbung had obtained 
the Hoard in the upper Rhine valley, and how he was afterwards 
slain by his brother Niblung. This Niblung possessed a magic 
ring in the shape of a coiled serpent with ruby eyes. It had been 
presented to him by a prince named Gunthwurm, who had come to 
him in the guise of a serpent, desiring the hand of his daughter 
in marriage. This ring, according to the Eddas , was the one 
taken by Loki from the dwarf Andvari, and was given by Sigurd 
(Siegfried) to Brunhild in token of betrothal. It was the cause of 
all the disasters that afterwards occurred. — See W. Jordan’s 
Sigfridssaga. See also Note 10. 

Note 19. Page 105. 

“ . . . Siegfried the hero good 
Failed the long task to finish : this stirred their angry mood. 

The treasure undivided he needs must let remain, 

When the two kings indignant set on him with their train ; 

But Siegfried gripped sharp Balmung (so hight their father’s sword), 

And took from them their country, and the beaming, precious hoard.” 

The Nibelungenlied, Lettsom, 96, 97. 


302 


Notes. 


Note 20. — Siegfried’s Welcome Home. Page 113. 

In the Nibelungen Lied this is our first introduction to the 
hero. The “ High-tide ” held in honor of Siegfried's coming to 
manhood, and which we suppose to have, occurred at this time, 
forms the subject of the Second Adventure in that poem. 

Note 21. — Kriemhild’s Dream. Page 124. 

This forms the subject of the first chapter of the Nibelungen 
Lied. “ The eagles of Kriemhild’s dream,” says Auber Forestier, 
“are winter-giants, whose wont it was to transform themselves 
into eagles; while the pure gods were in the habit of assuming the 
falcon’s form.” 


Note 22. — Idun. Page 135. 

The story of Idun and her Apples is related in the Younger 
Edda. It is there represented as having been told by Bragi him- 
self to his friend JEg\r. This myth means, that the ever-renovat- 
ing spring (Idun) being taken captive by the desolating winter 
(Thjasse), all Nature (all the Asa-folk) languishes until she regains 
her freedom through the intervention of the summer’s heat (Loki). 
— See Anderson’s Norse Mythology. 

Note 23. — Balder. Page 166. 

The story of Balder is, in reality, the most ancient form of the 
Siegfried myth. Both Balder and Siegfried are impersonations of 
the beneficent light of the summer’s sun, and both are represented 
as being treacherously slain by the powers of winter. The errand 
of Hermod to the Halls of Death (Hela) reminds us of the errand 
of Hermes to Hades to bring back Persephone to her mother 
Demetre. We perceive also a resemblance in this story to the 
myth of Orpheus, in which that hero is described as descending 
into the lower regions to bring away his wife Eurydice. 


Notes. 


303 


Note 24. Page 172. 

The making of rich clothing for the heroes is frequently re- 
ferred to in the Nibelungen Lied. Carlyle says, “ This is a never- 
failing preparative for all expeditions, and is always specified and 
insisted on with a simple, loving, almost female impressiveness.” 

Note 25. — The Winning of Brunhild. Page 175. 

The story of the outwitting of Brunhild, as related in the pages 
which follow, is essentially the same as that given in the Nibelun- 
gen Lied. It is quite different from the older versions. 

Note 26. — Sif. Page 204. 

Sif corresponds to the Ceres of the Southern mythology. (See 
Grimm, p. 309.) The story of Loki and the Dwarfs is derived 
from the Younger Edda. It has been beautifully rendered by the 
German poet Oelenschlager, a translation of whose poem on 
this subject may be found in Longfellow’s Poets and Poetry of 
Europe. 

Note 27. — Eigill. Page 214. 

Eigill is the original William Tell. The story is related in. the 
Saga of Thidrik. For a full history of the Tell myth, see 
Grimm’s Teutonic Mythology , p. 380, and Baring-Gould’s 
Curious Myths of the Middle Ages, p. no. 

Note 28. — Welland the Smith. Page 215. 

The name of this smith is variously given as Weland, Wieland, 
Welland, Volundr, Velint, etc. The story is found in the Vilkina 
Saga , and was one of the most popular of middle age myths. 
(See Grimm’s Mythology.) Sir Walter Scott, in his novel of 
Kenilworth , has made use of this legend in introducing the 
episode of Wayland Smith. 


304 


Notes. 


Note 29. — Vidar 1 the Silent. Page 216. 

“ Vidar is the name of the silent Asa. He has a very thick 
shoe, and he is the strongest next to Thor. From him the gods 
have much help in all hard tasks.” — The Younger Edda (Ander- 
son’s translation). 


Note 30. — Loki. Page 236. 

“Loki, in nature, is the corrupting element in air, fire, and 
water. In the bowels of the earth he is the volcanic flame, in the 
sea he appears as a fierce serpent, and in the lower world we 
recognize him as pale death. Like Odin, he pervades all nature. 
He symbolizes sin, shrewdness, deceitfulness, treachery, malice, 
etc.” — Anderson’s Mythology, p. 372. 

He corresponds to the Ahriman of the Persians, to the Satan 
of the Christians, and remotely to the Prometheus of the Greeks. 

Note 31. — The Quarrel of the Queens. Page 258. 

In the ancient versions, the culmination of this quarrel occurred 
while the queens were bathing in the river : in the Nibelungen 
Lied it happened on the steps leading up to the door of the 
church. 

Note 32. — Hagen. Page 281. 

Hagen corresponds to the Hoder of the more ancient myth of 
Balder. In the Sigurd Sagas he is called Hogni, and is a brother, 
instead of an uncle, of Gunther (Gunnar). 

Note 33. — The Death of Siegfried. Page 282. 

This story is related here essentially as found in the Nibelun- 
gen Lied. It is quite differently told in the older versions. Sieg- 
fried’s invulnerability save in one spot reminds us of Achilles, 
1 The word Vidar means forest. 


ANNOUNCEMENT, 


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CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS, PUBLISHERS, 

743 & 745 Broadway, New York. 

































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